us ee mes ie 30 7 > (A Zy RIDSABINDS 1TH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘‘ THE ZOOLOGIST.”’ AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED tHIEFLY TO THE BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY MBE. F.Z.S. M.B.O.U. H.F.A.O.U. ASSISTED BY Rev. F. C. R. JOURDAIN M.A. M.B.O.U. H.F.A.O.U. AND NORMAN F. TICEHURST 0O.B.E. M.A. F.R.C.S. M.B.O.U. Volume XXIV JUNE 1930— MAY 1931 H. F. & G. WITHERBY 326 HIGH HOLBORN LONDON LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS OF BIRDS—PaRrt I. Plate r. A Golden Eagle with wing-tip and wrist-slots open. (Photographed by Arthur Brook). ye se ued ae Frontispiece Fig. 1. Section of a wing in Boa with lines indicating air-flow = : re 5 Fig. 2. Section of a wing in stalin flight eg 6 Fig. 3. Above, 3rd flight-feather of a Buzzard ; below, of a Golden Plover i 7 ‘Fig. 4. Right bial ¥. of a Buzzard seen es below ; a Ss 8 Fig. 5. Typical —s of eeetiadiice being greater near the step than at the wing-tip ae 9 lig. 6. A Marsh-Harrier descending = an 10 Fig. 7. The right wing of a Crane seen from below 10 Fig. 8. Diagram illustrating the reason for the upward and forward bending of separated feathers. Direction of air-stream. F. Direction of movement of the wing. R. Total resultant force on the main wing. r. Total resultant force on each tain feather-blade Ges - II Fig. 9. Under-surface of right wing-tip of Teal.. Iz Fig. 10. Duck making a down-beat. The Spe bien tip of the first = feather has bent ig ings- and forwards S 12 Fig. 11. Probable flow of air-stream Sector a single wing-tip slot. A. Section of the tip of the first flight-feather. B. Of the main wing directly in rear of it... 13 Fig. 12. Diagram illustrating the action of the Handley-Page slot ... ay 14 Vig. 13. The appearance of a Handley- Page slot in the open position oss 14 Fig. 14. Diagram showing how ae etfect increases with the angle of incidence... hee 15 Fig. 15. Humming-birds hovering ... Fs rr 16 iv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Fig. 16. Left, typical attitude of a duck when alighting ; right, diagram illustrating the action of a duck’s wing in the down or forward beat while alighting Fig. 17. Lower surface of a ohn tue S right wing-tip, with the slots more than fully opened .. Fig. 18. Upper-surface of a slot-forming Paes in a Griffon Vulture’s wing. The dotted line shows the limits of the friction area Fig. 19. Construction of the upper-surface ae a slot-forming feather from a Griffon Vulture’s wing ah oe “TF 2 Fig. 20. Section through a wail barbs outside the friction area ; Fie. 27. Section ee adjacent barbs in the friction area : a Fig. 22. Section eee the ee parts of adjacent slot-forming feathers with the friction area not engaged Bs - Fig. 23. Asin Fig. 22, but here the friction area of the lower feather is just ee into ee aie MALE RING-OUZEL ent Nee [Photographed yy M. V. Wenner) Cait SAFETY DEVICES. IN WINGS OF eee oes IL. Fig. 24. The Pterodactyl tailless monoplane Fig. 25. Section showing the probable flow of the air-stream through the ee of the Paes in Plate I Fig. 26. Upper and inne oes xt the left foe tip of a Song-Thrush Fig. 27. Upper and lower surfaces a the left 1 tip of a Swallow : - Fig. 28. Wings of a number bepiesouratiye aoe of birds in the fully-spread position gk Fig. 30. Left, Crane; meht, Swan cle Fig. 31. The first eight ileght-teathers of a Partridge ik 24 qe ey se PAGE 16 17 18 18 19 1g 20 20 Bye eh) 36 38 38 39 42 43 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Fig. 32. Under-surface of a peices at wing-tip ‘ : Fig. 33. The action of a section of wing in the down-beat ae ; a : Fig. 34. The down-beat seen pas nainia. showing the twist in the oe Left, Fantail Pigeon ; right, Crane Fig. 35. Probable flow of air through the sdpacsiad flight-feathers of a Partridge in the down-beat ... Fig. 36. Under-surface of the left wing of a Dove, with the covert feathers removed Fig. 37. Left wing of a Woodcock seen ee below and in front, showing the bastard wing in the ‘‘slot-closed’’ position .. Fig. 38. Probable flow of the air-stream “through the wrist-slot of a Blackcock ine ; Fig. 39. Bastard wing of a Blackcock wick Fig. 40. Meadow-Pipit about to alight to feed a young Cuckoo. The wrist-slots are open Fig. 41. Great Black-backed Gull; on left with the wing-slots open, and on the right, closed STARLING’S UNUSUAL NESTING-SITE. aerree by F. Howard Lancum) des Nest OF MARSH-HARRIER WITH SIX EcGs, ee NORFOLK, May, a lak he °y Mrs. S. A. Wilson) Nest oF MontTacu’s Habeien WITH TEN Bees, HICKLING, NORFOLK, May, 1930. (Photographed by Col. R. Meinertzhagen) is NoTES ON ALBERTA WADERS INCLUDED ON THE BritisH List. Fig. 1. Nesting-site of Greater Yellowshank, Alberta, May, 19 si alia ce °y W. Rowan) + Fig. 2. Nest and eggs of Gone Vitloeuhese, Alberta, May 26th, 1930. (Photographed by W. Rowan) aa ubs Pe ai A NortH SEA BirD ibe. Chart to show the area over which the observations were made so 81 go 120 vi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE REED-BUNTING SHIELDING NESTLINGS FROM SUN. (Photographed by J. H. Owen) ... noe as 256 SUBALPINE WARBLER. Upper—Hen shielding nestlings from the sun and gasping in heat (note rictal bristles). Lower—Cock Bird at Nest. Eee by John Armitage) Plate 2... facing 178 THE OSPREY AT GUNTON GREAT WATER. (Sketched by Mrs. Barclay) ... wie bei a Ma” LOR SwaLLow, UnusuaL NESTING-SITE. (Photographed by Lionel H. Dagley) ... wen sisi sii ree 5 REED-WARBLER SHELTERING YOUNG FROM SUN. (Photographed by Ralph Chislett) Rie a 2OR SKETCH CHART TO ILLUSTRATE AN ORNITHOLOGIAL TRANSECT OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC... facing 272 THE BIRTH OF A BLACK-HEADED GULL. Fig. 1. Chick of Black-headed Gull with egg showing first hole drilled by the egg-tooth of the chick inside. (Photographed by F. B. Kirkman) 284 Fig. 2. Diagram showing position of the chick in the egg before hatching ies 287 Tig. 3. Black-headed Gull’s nest with two eggs, one of which shows two holes made by the egg-tooth of the chick inside. (Photographed by F. B. Korkiman)) nic : re ae ae ee 2O0 ORNITHOLOGICAL Reon FOR NORFOLK FOR 1930. Weather Chart for September r1oth—26th ... oes OS Weather Chart for September 27th... — direclion of flight 1G. 1. Section of a wing in flight with lines indicating air-flow. Jrawn from a photograph in the R.A.F. Manual of Flying Training. Jbserve that the flow of the upper stream is quite smooth, nd that it flows at high speed close over the trailing edge f the wing. * Though it is technically inaccurate to consider the air-pressures 1) this way, it is the simplest means of getting a clear view of what appens. 6 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. | When a bird wishes to glide more slowly, he must make his wings cut a deeper furrow in order to make up in quantity of air displaced for the reduced downward velocity his wings are giving to it.* This he does by increasing their incidence. That is all very well, and it works beautifully, but only up to a certain limiting angle, which, unless it is increased by some special means, is in the region of 15°. (These special means take the form of certain peculiar arrangements of the feathers akin to the Handley-Page Slotted Wing device. They are of particular interest because they vary very much in different species of birds, and are therefore of great help to anyone trying to arrive at an understanding of the differ- ences in their flight.) As the limiting angle of incidence is approached, the upper of the two air-streams, being deflected more and more sharply downwards in its effort to fill in the furrow cut by a wing, finds increasing difficulty in turning the corner, till finally, and quite suddenly, it gives up the struggle and instead, just rushes on for a short distance and then turns, and, as it were, follows the wing. Thus the smooth flow of air over the top of the wing is broken down and the air-stream begins to form into little whirls, a process know as ‘‘ burbling:’’ = Le obey Dineclvenvop Meyetncin Fic. 2. Section of a wing in stalled flight. The burbling is accentuated by the lower-air-stream, which, being no longer kept in place by the even flow of the upper stream over the trailing edge of the wing, is able to flow up and join in filling up the partial vacuum. (One can get a very good idea of what burbling is, by dragging one’s hand at an angle through water.) Figure 2 shows more or less what would be seen if the air-stream were visible. The important thing to note is that though the air-stream is still being slow in filling the furrow cut by the wing, it is now being SLow IN MovinG ForRWARDS AND Upwarbs, and the /( * Speed is of the greatest importance, for by halving the speed a bird reduces the value of the force his wings are producing to one- quarter, unless he increases the incidence. In the same way, he can quadruple the amount of force by doubling the air-speed. The law in accordance with which this happens is that at such speeds as birds attain, the value of the Total Resultant Force varies as the square of the air-speed. 'OL. XxIV.] SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 7 yull of the air on the wing is in the reverse direction—back- wards and downwards. So now, a large part of the force of air-reaction is in a backward and downward direction, instead of being at 90° to the wing-surface ; just what is not wanted as a rule. This state of affairs is known as a “‘stall,’’ and it always comes into existence when an unduly large angle of incidence is used, either in gliding or flapping flight. An aeroplane whose wings are stalled commences to fall owing to the lack of “ lift,’’ and then to spin on account of certain little known aerodynamic laws. But, in some of the more modern types, this stalled descent can be controlled in such a way that, instead of spinning, the machine descends on an even keel. This is precisely what some species of birds can do by virtue of their separating feathers, as I hope to show in this article. Without this separation of the feathers they could not do it. III. EMARGINATION. That nature had a definite purpose in view when she provided some birds, and not others, with separating flight- feathers, becomes apparent if the shape of such feathers is compared with that of corresponding ones taken from a wing in which separation does not take place. Figure 3 - Pi Fic. 3. Above, 3rd flight-feather of a Buzzard ; below, of a Golden Plover. illustrates this comparison. Observe how the Buzzard’s feather (a separating one) is reduced in width from a broad base to a much narrower tip, not gradually, but in a distinct step ; whereas the Golden Plover’s (a non-separating one) only narrows down gently the whole way. The feathers illustrated are taken from similar positions in the wing. This stepping-down in width, known to ornithologists as “emargination,” is always present in the feathers of birds that have separating flight-feathers, sometimes on both webs of the feathers, sometimes only on the front webs, while in certain feathers in any particular wing it is confined to the rear edges. The terms “ front ’’ and “ rear’’ are used « 8 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV, here, rather than the usual “ outer’’ and “ inner,’’ because we are considering the wing in its working position, fully spread. The emargination obeys certain definite rules. The front web of the first flight-feather (the first visible primary) is never emarginated; where any marked separation takes place, the rear web is. Then in some wings, the front web of the second feather is the only other emarginated one, but in others, varying numbers of feathers have steps in both webs (five appears to be the greatest number), while in all cases the hindmost feather that has a step has it only in the front web. The result of this arrangement is that when the wing is fully spread the outer parts of the feathers do not overlap, and gaps or ‘“‘slots’’ form between them as shown in Figure 4.* WWE > GEE ee SYS SI. ee Fic. 4. Right wing-tip of a Buzzard seen from below. The front webs of the feathers are drawn black for emphasis. For some reason, nature has taken particular care that these slots shall be of fair width, even at their inner extremities, where they might reasonably be expected to form very acute angles, owing to the fact that the feathers radiate from a fairly small centre, the hand of the wing. She has achieved this result by making the webs of the feathers narrower just out- side the steps than they are further out towards the wing-tips. The effect is that the margins of the slots are more nearly parallel than they would otherwise be, and the inner ex- tremities squarer (Figure 5). Though not found in quite all emarginated feathers, this remarkably careful shaping is often to be seen in the feathers of birds with well-developed slots. Its purpose has perhaps something to do with the “ drag’ that would be induced by air rushing at high speed through a narrow space; with * In some birds the emargination of the rear webs is very indis- tinct, particularly in the feathers that form the hindmost slots. The — Pheasant’s wing is a good example. _xxtv.] SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 9 nce in flight, or with the need for a good flow of air sughout the whole length of a slot, in order that the full efit may be derived from it. The slots in the wings of eons are good examples of the type that lack this careful ping, and these birds are noticeably more noisy in flight n many others. (For comparison see Figure 35.) It also Under-surface of right wing-tip of a Ruddy Sheld-Duck 2nd _flight- feather of a Partridge. U Fic. 5. Typical examples of emargination being greater near the step than at the wing-tip. Both feathers narrower at A than at B. ks as if this careful shaping is designed to prevent wear on » edges of the feathers, for it must cause the whole slot to nat almost the same moment, instead of the separation rting at the tip and working inwards. V. BENDING AND TWISTING OF SEPARATED FEATHERS. Figures 6 and 7 show examples of separation. These birds y either be making a downward beat or just gliding, » camera does not tell us for certain, but for the present rpose that does not matter. All that is required, is to yw that the air-stream is striking the wings from below. at it is doing so is quite evident. | > } 10 BRITISH BIRDS. [vVoL. XXIV, In both birds, the separated feathers are distinctly bent in an upward and forward direction, and at the same time twisted, in such a way that their leading edges lie lower than their rear, or trailing edges. First consider the twisting alone. Since no feather has muscular power in itself, this effect must be due to the reaction of the air which the feathers are displacing. The wing, itself, is held or moved by its owne in such a way that the air-stream is striking it at an angle fro below and in front (the angle of incidence). The roots and am) Cae <. KS med Fic. 6. A Marsh-Harrier descending. From a photograph. ) Pee Fic. 7. The right wing of a Crane seen from below. (From a photograph lent by Colonel R. Meinertzhagen). the overlapping parts of the feathers are embodied in, and supported by, this main part of the wing ; but the separated outer portions lack mutual support, and are, to a certain extent, at the mercy of the rush of air which they feel— the air-stream. Having wider webs behind than in front of their shafts, the feather blades cannot help twisting some- what into line with the upward-slanting stream, because it has more effect on the broad than on the narrow webs. Thus, th angle at which the separated blades of the feathers lie to th line of the air-stream becomes less than that at which the main wing lies. This is a matter of decided advantage to a bird, because it means that he can afford to put his wings at such a large angle of incidence that though they may stall . xxIv.| SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 1] | become comparatively ineffective, he will yet be safe, ause their very important outer-parts will automatically ain effective and in an unstalled condition. Further, y will remain so even if he increases the incidence of the in wing to several degrees beyond the stalling-angle. Phat the separated feathers should bend upwards is only ural since the air-stream is striking them at an angle m below, but that they should also bend forwards seems rifle odd. The explanation is that they are yielding to . reaction of the displaced air, which acts, according to . accepted theory of flight, in a direction approximately at ht angles to the surface of their blades; and, after they ve been twisted, that direction, as can be seen in Figure 8, i R rit A Fic. 8. Diagram illustrating the reason for the upward and forward bending of separated feathers. Direction of air-stream. . ,, movement of the wing. Total resultant force on the main wing. ee me », on each separated feather-blade. ist be upwards and forwards relative to the parent wing. hile the slots are opening, each whole feather, pivoting about root in the hand of the wing, is dragged forward by the ce reacting on its twisted tip. When the limit of that yvement has been reached, the flexible separated tips nd forwards, still in obedience to the reaction on the isted parts of the blades. V. THE SINGLE WING-TIP SLOT. A good example of the simplest development of the slot found in the wings of some forms of duck, the Teal (Anas 12 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV crecca) for instance. Figure 9 shows the first four flight feathers of a Teal’s wing. Number one feather’s front web is very narrow and very stiff from tip to root ; a suitable form for taking the first blow of the air as the wing cuts through it, and for dividing the stream ready for its passage over and under the wing-surface that lies in rear of it, The front web of number two feather is of identical construction, but only for a distance of one and three-quarter inches (A.B. in the figure), measured inwards from the tip ; that is, as far a the step in the web. Inside that point it resembles the front webs of all the other primary feathers that lie behind it in being Fic. 9. Under-surface of right wing-tip of Teal. comparatively broad and flexible, and only suited for working at an angle to the air-stream with the shield and support of another feather in front of it. This indicates that the outer part of number two’s front web is a “cutting edge,” and that it serves a similar purpose to the whole of the front web of number one ; which, in fact, it does, for when the slot is open it is left isolated throug the bending up of number one, to face the air-stream 0 its own (see Figure 10). Number two feather, itself, does not get bent or twisted, because its rear web is supported sé Be Yr De Dol Fic. 10 Duck making a down-beat. The separated tip of the first flight-feather has bent upwards and forwards. (From a chrono-photograph in Marey’s Motion. Owing tothe peculiat form of photography the series must be read from right to left.) above and behind by the front web of number three, there being no slot between these two. And the same thing stands for all the other feathers in the wing: they give each othe mutual support, which prevents any part of them from being twisted round by the force of the air-stream. The Teal’s cutting-edge is typical of the cutting-edge of all birds, though there is considerable variation in proportion- ate width in different species. There are other interesting _ xxiv.] SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 13 iations, too: in most game-birds and duck, for instance, the ting-edges appear to have a bi-convex section, such as t used in the modern high-speed aeroplane wing, and about twice as thick in section as the rear webs directly ind them. Where they are so thickened, the under- faces of the feathers have an unmistakeable silvery appear- e. Then there is the wing of the Short-eared Owl (Asito nmeus), in which the one short piece of cutting-edge is easily tinguished from all the other leading edges by its comb- » appearance; no doubt, this is something to do with the eral ‘‘ muffling ”’ of the typical Owl’s wing. In the wing a Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) the cutting-edges are much re curved down than those of many other birds. This, » suspects, may have something to do with the high lift ue required by that bird when soaring at low air-speeds. fact, cutting-edges make a very interesting study in mselves alone, and I have mentioned only a few of their uliarities. Vhen the single slot in the Teal’s wing is open, and the lated tip of the first feather has been bent and twisted by . air-stream, a section taken through the wing at the 1-point of the slot would look something like Figure rr. Fic. 11. Probable flow of the air-stream through a single wing-tip slot. A.—section of the tip of the first flight feather. B.—of the main wing directly in rear of it. e resemblance of this to a slotted aeroplane wing (Figure 12) juite evident. Juoting from the Handley-Page hand-book on the subject : he slot in the wing, extending along the leading edge, | formed between a small moveable winglet and the main ig itself, prevents a breakdown in the air-flow over the ne at large angles of incidence, and so permits the wing continue lifting at angles at which stalling would previously re taken place. The stream of air introduced at high ed through the slot from the under surface has the effect smoothing out the flow of air over the plane, and keeping Fic. 12. Diagram illustrating Fic. 13. The appearance of a the action of the Handley-Page Handley-Page slot in the open slot (From the handbook issued position. by that firm). causing a stall. If this really is the case, we can presume that the part of the wing which is situated behind the slot in the Teal’s wing, does not stall immediately the incidence becomes so high as to cause the rest of the wing to do so, and that it maintains the value of the lift it is giving, while the main part of the wing is producing “‘drag’’ rather than lift. This excellent property of the wing-tips, given to them by the slots, can be of use to a Teal in several ways. Heré isan example. Think of him as he glides down to alight on a flat-calm day, when there is no wind which he can use (b facing it) to reduce his speed sufficiently to let him touc the water without capsizing. His wings have got to produce the “braking effect ’’ required and yet maintain thei “lift,’* and they are not of the most suitable type for the work, because the Teal has far higher wing-loading (smaller wings for his weight) than most birds. * Probably the spreading of the webbed feet, ready to continue the ‘“‘ braking ’’ in the water, assists the wings slightly in this. . Xxiv.] SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 15 ‘he production of a big braking effect requires a strong kward-inclined reaction from the air; that means a xe angle of incidence (Figure 14), almost certainly larger n the stalling angle of the wings. In these circum- <---- = a ae FF —- — <«& Air sfream hirection of tieghl ——> ; 14. Diagram showing how braking effect increases with the ‘le of incidence. Force R2 points more backward than R1 because angle alpha is greater than beta. inces, even if they do stall, it does not matter much as re- rds ‘braking’, for though the total resultant produced wy fall in value, it will be all in the right direction—back- rds. But it does matter from the point of view of “control”, d that is where the slots come in. They ensure that rt, at least, of the wing, and that the most important rt for controlling, will not stall. So this preliminary ide down towards the water appears to develop into a ulled, yet controlled descent, with the body in a horizontal sition, or even slightly tilted up in front, not inclined ywnwards as in a true glide or dive. One can often see com- oner birds, notably Rooks (Corvus frugilegus), carrying out e same manceuvre. Having, in this way, reduced his speed somewhat, the sal finds that the controlled stalled descent is going to ing him on to the water with too much downward speed r comfort. To overcome this trouble he starts flapping $ wings, at first with very small strokes, little more than quivering of the wing-tips, then gradually increasing the ovement until it is almost as vigorous as when he is getting ider way at the beginning of a flight. The true reason r the need to start flapping is that he has reduced the eed of the air past his wings so much that they are un- le to derive from it the necessary force to obtain braking fect and “‘lift’’, and that therefore the wings themselves must > moved to increase it again. The movement which has to 2 made up for is a forward one, so the wings must be moved rwards ; that means a forward and backward flap, which the form of flapping flight often used by birds when alighting 1 windless days. Actually the beat is not horizontal, but it is not far from 16 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV, it. It is an approach towards hovering flight, and, as can be seen in Figure 15, hovering birds do use this nearly horizontal beat, at any rate in calm weather. The body aa ) Ss ) . Fic. 15. Humming-birds hovering. (From photographs. is tilted up at an angle which brings it into nearly the same position with relation to the beating wings as in normal flapping flight, thus doing away with the need for special joints and muscles. This typical attitude, assumed by all forms of duck (and indeed most other birds) when alighting in calm weather, will be recalled by Figure 16. Incidentally this attitude must, in itself, cause a certain increase in the N AX R NS ~ c Pil D a ‘ = “Sey —_ 23 oS py, . ‘ghe ct —— = ‘SB ues —— Fic. 16. Left—Typical attitude of a duck while alighting. Right—Diagram illustrating the action of a duck’s wing in the down or forward beat while alighting. braking effect caused by the passage of the body at an angle through the air, and must also reduce the tendency to capsize on touching the water. The slot comes in very handy in this proceeding, too. Imagine a point on the Teal’s wing travelling, during the forward stroke, from A to B (Figure 16) and producing a force from the reaction of the air, roughly, in the required direction R. To do so, the surface of the wing must lie at right angles to that direction, that is, in position CD. The air- stream felt by the wing during the stroke is, practically speak- ing, in the reverse direction to the stroke, 7.c., from B to A "OL. XxIV.| SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 17 \because the bodily forward movement of the bird is now so low as to have but little effect upon it). That means a large angle »f incidence and the need for the slot once more to prevent the stalling of the wing-tips. It is worth noting here that the wing-tips are doing nearly ull the work, because the inner parts, being close to the ody, cannot be flapped through an arc large enough to produce the air-speed which is essential for the production of force from the air; therefore, it is doubly important that the best should be got out of the tips. The slot allows this to be done by permitting the use of a large angle of incidence. VI. OPENING AND CLOSING OF WING-TIP SLOTS. The study of how wing-tip slots are opened and closed is most interesting, because it discloses the presence in a bird’s wing of one of the most cunning, economical and amazingly eeffective devices imaginable. A bird at rest can spread its wings sufficiently for the slots tto open fully ; one can see the great birds of prey at the Zoo (doing it almost any day. That is evidence that birds certainly sare provided with the necessary muscular equipment for the mmovement, but it does not follow that they use it for that ppurpose in flight. Here is evidence that they do not. If sone takes the wing of a freshly-killed Rook, for example, sspreading it so that the feather-tips are just not separating, sand holding it at a large angle of incidence (in the nature of 225°) to the draught from a powerful electric fan, the air- Fic. 17. Lower surface of a Song-Thrush’s right wing- tip, with the slots more than fully opened. Gaps appear- ing beyond the inner limits of the slots and barbs being torn apart from each other are shown. ‘stream will open the slots by blowing up the broader rear- ‘webs of the emarginated parts of the feathers. If, on the other hand, this wing is held with the feathers loose and 'B 18 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. not pressed together, it can easily be spread so far that gaps appear between the broad parts of the feathers on the body side of the steps in the webs, as in Figure 17. That is, one can over-spread it. That is how a bird at rest appears to stretch its wings— with the feathers not pressed together. But if one, per- sonally, takes the place of the air-stream which would be : we pester uy py, : = SSCS IS SSS SESE yy LI . SOS Fic. 18. Upper-surface of a slot-forming feather in a Griffon Vulture’s wing. The dotted line shows the limits of the friction area. BARBULES BARBICELS Fic. 19. Construction of the upper-surface of a slot-form- ing feather from a Griffon Vulture’s wing. This section is outside the friction area. Only a few of the branches have been drawn in. met in flight, and holds the wing so that each feather is pressing up against that which overlaps it, and then one tries to spread the wing as far, it will be found that a brake is quite suddenly put on which seems to lock all the emargi- nated feathers in the “ slot-fully-open”’ position. Only by tearing apart the barbs of the front webs, where they still over- lap the rear webs, can one effect any further spreading. The secret of this braking effect appears, at first, simply to be friction between specially shaped roughened areas on the i OL. XxIv.| SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 19 “eathers, which come into contact at the critical moment. Phe difference between the texture of the upper-surface of a ‘feather in one of these areas, and elsewhere, can quite easily be seen with the naked eye. Figure 18 shows the extent of one of tthem in a typical emarginated feather. But examination of the surface with a microscope indicates that the roughness is more than a friction surface ; it shows ‘that the effect is brought about by thousands of tiny hooks ywhich stand out above the main surface, and engage with ‘the ribbed under-side of the broad part of the overlapping feather. These hooks are really an extension of the normal smechanism that holds the barbs of a feather together. From the shaft of any feather the barbs branch off at an angle inclined towards the tip. From them the barbules (see Figure 19) spring. Those that are on the side of the ‘barbs nearest the root of the feather are simply spines that lie in serried ranks, springing at a fine angle from the barb, ‘but those that are on the side nearer the tip are much more ccomplex in structure. Figure 20 shows a typical example cof their normal development. The hooks are designed to Barbul or orbules Barbicels m Pi er Hamuli x Sina SS Barbs Radii 'Fic.20. Sectionthroughadjacent Fic. 21. Section through adjacent barbs outside the friction area. barbs in the friction area. eengage with the spiny barbules on the next barb towards the tip of the feather. Both hooks and spines are very flexible, and that is why sa feather can be made to return to its proper tidy state after cone has withdrawn the hooks from their hold on the spines tby rubbing it up the wrong way, as, for instance, when tusing the feather as a pipe cleaner—unless, of course, the pipe iis a very foul one ; then, nothing will avail. Figure 20 is a sectional view of two such barbs with tthe hooked barbicels branching downwards off the tip-side 'barbules. In the friction area of a slot-forming feather, ‘however, the tip-side barbules do not terminate at the point ' where the last barbicels branch off downwards, but go ‘on, with a sharp upward bend, as shown in Figure 21, and 20 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOL, xxiv. bear several more hooked barbicels.* These give the friction area its typical rough appearance, and their purpose 1s to hook on to the next overlapping feather and prevent over- spreading. During the earlier stages of the spreading process the protruding under-side of the shaft of an over-lapping feather rides over the friction area of the lower feather and prevents it engaging (this phase is shown in Figure 22), but at the critical moment, when the slot is approaching the fully-open pei, Fic. 22. Section through the Fic. 23. As in figure 22, but here unemarginated parts of ad- the friction area of the lower jacent slot-forming feathers feather is just coming into opera- with the friction area not tion at Z. A.B is the total engaged. breadth of the friction area. position, the sharply curved-down leading-edge of the upper feather arrives at the forward margin of the friction area of the lower one, and the hooks engage, gradually locking the feathers together, except for a certain amount of “ give ”’ due to the springy nature of the barbules and _ barbicels. Figure 23 shows a section view of two feathers in this position. The narrow parts of the feathers outside the steps in the webs are, of course, in the fully separated position at this final stage of the spreading of the wing. The arrow marked ‘“Z’’ shows where the friction is greatest. This friction business does not apply only to slotted wings, for ordinary ones, such as those of the Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) and Gull, display varying degrees of this locking tendency at the moment when the tips of their feathers are about to separate. The secondary feathers, and also the unslotted primary feathers of birds that have slotted wings, are subject to it as well. In most wings, the engagement of the friction areas is made the more certain by the upward curl of the rear margins of the feathers, which assists the air-pressure to bring the two surfaces into contact. One other interesting point about the device is that the front edge of the front web of an emarginated feather is always sharply curved down in the unemarginated part, but in nearly all such feathers (the Vulture and perhaps some * Only a few wings have been examined for this peculiarity, but it is suspected that all slot-forming feathers possess it to a greater or less degree. VoL. xxiv.| SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 21 other soaring birds are exceptions, as was mentioned before), it is to all intents and purposes flat from the step outwards to the tip, that is to say, along the “ cutting-edge”. This peculiarity is quite helpful when one is trying to measure the total length of cutting-edge that any wing possesses. The reason for this difference is that inside the step, the front web has to do the work of digging down into the friction area of the feather in front of it, and working as a limit-stop to prevent over-spreading ; but outside the step, its purpose is simply to cut the air. In a table to be given at the end of this paper will be found the proportion of cutting-edge to length of wing in a number of representative types of birds. It is there called the “ Slot Factor.” The apparent action of the opening of the wing-tip slots can now be summed up as follows: When the wing has spread so far that the emarginated parts of the feathers are about to separate, the air-stream, if it has sufficient incidence, forces the broader rear webs of the separated parts of the feathers upwards, so that the blades are twisted towards the line of the air-stream. In this manner the incidence of these separate feathers becomes less than that of the main wing, and consequently the direction of the force reacting on them is more forward. The result is that they all move forward and the slots open wide. At the same time the tips of the feathers bend upward, owing to the absence of mutual support. At a certain moment during this process the individual forward movement of each feather is checked and finally stopped by the arrival of the curved-down leading edges of the still overlapping parts of the feathers at the front margin of the friction areas of the feathers which they overlap. Air pressure from beneath helps these surfaces to engage (the stiff down-curved front webs are not affected by the suction from above), and any further for- ward movement takes the form of spreading the whole wing, because all the primaries, and to a certain extent the sec- ondaries are then practically locked together. The need for this automatic limit-stop to prevent over- spreading is strong evidence that the final stages of the expanding of a wing, at any rate a slotted one, are done by air pressure and not by muscular force, except in so far as the breast muscles are preventing the wing from flapping upwards, or are actually pulling it down (as in flapping flight). This description of the opening process of the slots in a multi-slot wing applies in limited degree to a single-slot one. (To be continued.) (22) NEW BRITISH BIRDS AND ALTERATIONS TO THE BRITISH LIST. BY H. F. WITHERBY. Tue following additions and alterations have been agreed upon by the British Ornithologists’ Union List Committee (see Ibis, 1930, pp. 244-247) since the last article on the subject was published in British Birps, Vol. XXIL., pp. 98-102. The number given before each name below refers to the classified list at the end of Vol. II. of the Practical Handbook and my Check List. ADDITIONS. 177A, THE DESERT-WHEATEAR.—Cinanthe deserti desertt (Temm.). SAXICOLA DESERTI Temminck, Pl. Col., p. 359, fig. 2 (1825—-Nubia). (Enanthe d. deseyti Stenhouse, Scot. Nat., 1928, p. 180. A male example of a Desert-Wheatear in freshly moulted plumage was obtained by Mr. James Stout at Fair Isle, Shetland, on October 6th, 1928. In chronicling this event in the Scottish Naturalist (1928, p. 180), Surgeon Rear-Admiral J. H. Stenhouse stated that the bird was very wild and that it had apparently arrived that day after a strong south-easterly wind on the 5th. The specimen was submitted to Dr. Hartert, who reported: “It fits beautifully into a series of autumn specimens of typical deserti and stands out from the more rufous sandy birds of homochroa.” The typical form of the Desert-Wheatear inhabits Egypt, Nubia, N. Arabia and Palestine. The western form, @. d. homochroa, already represented on the British List, inhabits Algeria, Tunisia and Tripoli and extends eastwards to the Libyan Desert and Natron Valley. These two forms resemble one another closely, but the western form has the upper-parts of a more rufous and “warmer ’”’ tint of sandy colouring than in the typical and more eastern form. In fresh autumn plumage the perfect grey tips of the feathers rather obscure the sandy colour and the difference is not so obvious as in summer, when the tips of the feathers are worn off. The difference between the two birds was first pointed out by Dr. Hartert in 1912 in Novitates Zoologice, Vol. XVIII., p. 515. In our Practical Handbook, Vol. I., p. 434, it will be seen that of four birds included under @. d. homochroa only one ‘VOL. XxIv.] ALTERATIONS TO BRITISH LIST. 23 (Yorkshire, October 17th, 1885) was definitely assigned to this race, the other three not having been critically examined. I may mention, therefore, that I have recently examined, by the kindness of Mr. W. R. Lysaght in whose collection it is, the bird from ‘‘ near the sea’’ (Cley, Norfolk) obtained on October 31st, 1907. This bird, like the Fair Isle one, is in fresh autumn plumage, but the sandy colour of its upper- parts is of a distinctly rufous tinge and the bird compares well with specimens of the western form, (CE. d. homochroa. The third, more eastern (Asiatic) form of Desert-Wheatear on the List, @. d. atrogularis, has considerably more white -on the inner-webs of the primaries than the other two forms _and is usually larger. 329A. THE SOUTHERN CORMORANT.—Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (Shaw and Nodder). |PELECANUS SINENSIS Shaw and Nodder, Naturalist’s Misc., NIII., pl. 529 and index (1801—China). In Vol. II., p. 399, of the Practical Handbook 1 pointed out in a footnote that an adult Cormorant in the British Museum, collected at Christchurch, Hampshire, in February, 1873, resembled the southern continental form, Ph. c. _subcormoranus. This opinion has been recently confirmed by, the B.O.U. List Committee, who consider that in conse- ‘ quence the bird should be added to the List. The name subcormoranus was given by Brehm in 1824 to a bird from Holland, and this name was used by Dr. Hartert -when he separated the birds breeding in middle and southern Europe from the typical carbo breeding in the British Islands, Norway, Iceland and Greenland. A number of other forms, which were considered of doubtful value, had been separated from further east. In the Jbis, 1923, p. 459, Dr. C. B. Tice- hurst stated that as a result of an examination of the large series at Tring and in the British Museum, he came to the conclusion that the Cormorants found from Holland to China and Japan could not be separated and therefore suggested that the name simensts given in 1801 by Shaw and Nodder to a Chinese bird should stand for this form. This view the B.O.U. List Committee has adopted. The main difference between this bird and the typical form breeding with us is that on the under-parts it is distinctly greenish instead of bluish. In breeding-plumage the white feathers on the head and neck are usually more plentiful and longer. The bill is often smaller. Dr. C. B. Ticehurst gives the following measurements of those he examined :— 24 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. 10 adults, Continental Europe and W. Asia, wing 322-355, bill 60-70 mm. 16 China and Japan » 322-303, », 58-73 » 29 India and Muscat »» 319-364, 5, 57-72 » The Southern Cormorant frequently breeds in trees as well as in cliffs and sometimes in reed-beds. I take this opportunity of correcting a misprint on page 399 of Vol. Il. of the Handbook, where under “ characters and allied forms’’ I state that Ph. c. maroccanus has “ throat and often upper-parts white.’’ This should read “‘ throat and often upper-breast white.”’ ALTERATIONS. 216A. THE AMERICAN NIGHTJAR must be called Chordeiles minor minor (Forster). CAPRIMULGUS MINOR Forster, Cat. Animals N. Amer., p. 13 (177I— Based on Catesby’s description and figure of a bird from Virginia). When this bird was introduced to the British List (Brit. Birds, Vol. XXII., p. 98) the name Chordetles virginianus virginianus (Gm.) used in the A.O.U. Check-List was adopted. Unfor- tunately, it was overlooked that Dr. C. W. Richmond had pointed out (Auk, 1917, p. 88) that Forster’s Caprimulgus minor of 1771 was based on the same bird as Gmelin’s Capri- mulgus virginianus of 1789 and was therefore as valid and had priority. 455. The British LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL must be called : Larus fuscus graellsii Brehm. Larus GRAELLSII Brehm, Naturhist. Zeitung, Neue Folge, III., p. 483 (1857—Malaga, Spain). At the Sixth International Ornithological Congress held at Copenhagen in May, 1926, the type of Reinhardt’s Larus affints in the Royal Museum was exhibited to the ornitholo- gists present and the question as to whether it was a Herring- Gull or a Lesser Black-backed Gull, which has been frequently discussed, was re-opened. The general opinion was expressed that the bird was a Larus argentatus, but the case in which the specimen is was not opened and details were not forth- coming. The question of the measurements of the tarsus and foot has already been dealt with in detail by Mr. F. Iredale when he brought forward this bird as a specimen of our Lesser Black-backed Gull (see Brit. Birds, Vol. VI., pp. 360-364), and on this point there will probably always be differences of opinion. The colour of the feet was not recorded and the mantle (probably faded) is now as pale as that of a Herring-Gull ~ iL. xxiv.) ATERATIONS TO BRITISH LIST. 25 cough Reinhardt stated in his description that it was many shades darker.” ‘Mr. Jourdain has recently fully discussed the whole 1estion in Novitates Zoologice, XXXV. (1929), pp. 82-84, (d brings forward additional valuable evidence regarding the yade of colour of the primaries, which seems to me to afford mclusive proof that the bird is a Herring-Gull. Mr. R. érring, of the University Museum, Copenhagen, has supplied srefully drawn and coloured diagrams of the primaries, and eese are reproduced in Plate vi. accompanying Mr. Jour- in’s article. Assuming the correctness of the shades of vey shewn in the diagrams as reproduced, there can be no oubt that these are too pale for any specimen of the British esser Black-backed Gull. As the name affinis must therefore be rejected, the next ame available is Larus graellsit of Brehm. This name was wen to a bird now in the Tring Museum. It is dated ‘Malaga, 21.10.1856, male.’’ It is in full moult and would, think, have become entirely adult in plumage had the coult been completed. The general appearance of the santle is rather dark owing to the presence of old worn eathers, but the new feathers are as pale as those in typical rritish specimens of the Lesser Black-backed Gull, as also re the inner webs of the primaries. The crown and nape re heavily streaked. The wing measures 423 mm., the outer onger primaries being worn old ones. ‘The tarsus is 66 and me bill from the feathers 50. 'When Dr. P. R. Lowe first differentiated our breeding eesser Black-backed Gull as distinct from the dark-backed ypical bird, and named it Larus f. britannicus (Brit. Birds, ‘ol. VI., pp. 2-7), he was mistaken in stating (p. 3, footnote) nat the type of Brehm’s Larus graellsii was missing. He umself appears to have examined the bird and identified it ss of this form, as will be seen by a reference to the list of ppecimens given on p. 6. 476. The COMMON CRANE must be called Grus grus grus (L.). Opinion 103, rendered by the International Commission of soological Nomenclature (Smithsonian Miscellaneous Col'ee- tons, Vol. 73, No. 5, September 19th, 1928) decides that the yype of Grus Pallas 1767 is Ardea grus Linn. 1758. The juestion of the use of this generic name is a complicated one vhich need not be gone into here, and it will suffice to say that the B.O.U. List Committee accept the Opinion of the mternational Commission. (26) OBITUARY. KENNEDY J. P. ORTON. KENNEDY JOSEPH PREVITE ORTON, F.R.S., M.A., PH.Dj Professor of Chemistry at Bangor (University of Wales), die on March 16th, 1930, in his 58th year. At St. John’s Cambridge, at Heidelberg, and University College, London his career was brilliant, and before he was given the Chai at Bangor he was for five or six years lecturer and demonstra tor at “ Barts.’’ Climbing and ornithology were his recrea tions, and he was a keen bird-protector ; undoubtedly man of the Ravens and Peregrines of North Wales owe thei survival to his watchful care and energetic action, an probably no one knew more than he did about the Chough of Snowdonia. On the moors, braving the wrath of keeper, or their masters, he made a point of destroying the illega pole-traps which were common long after the Act of 1904 In a letter written in March, ror1, he described minutely Hooded Merganser which he watched in the Menai Straits near Bangor, in much the same place where Eyton shot hi bird in the winter of 1830-31. In December, 1928, h described to me the great westward flight of Lapwings an other birds during the N.E. gales of the 8th to roth, whic he observed on the north coast of Anglesey; these “ vast flocks’ were, no doubt, making for Ireland and reached there safely, for it was at the end of the month that birds crossed the Atlantic. He contributed various interesting notes to BritisH Birps and helped with the Heron Census, but to his personal friends it was his conversation and private correspondence that were most valuable. He was careful about detail, did not jump to conclusions and he had always something interesting to tell. Orton will be sadly missed, not only by his colleagues at Bangor, but by the many friends who met him on the rocks and hills. T.A.G ROOKS COLLECTING RUBBER OBJECTS. ® Rooks (Corvus f. frugilegus) of Wanstead Park have a ange custom which may not have been brought before notice of readers of British Birds. For more than twenty “urs they have been in the habit of collecting rubber bands ‘1 scraps of articles made of rubber. On the ground, 1eath the nesting trees, we picked up to-day (May 4th, 30) various types of rubber bands, e.g., from bottles, also : flat bands used in offices for papers. We also found ttions of a child’s balloon, a piece of bicycle tyre and an h of rubber used for mending punctures. The bands are aally unbroken, though two or three torn fragments were nd to-day. The articles are not found in connection th the food pellets, so there is no evidence that they have en swallowed by the birds. fiThe Wanstead Park Rookery is on an island in the lake, hi adjoins the heronry. It is strictly protected, but the mdon Natural History Society get permission for an mnual expedition to it and this took place to-day. The eper told us that the rubber objects are sometimes so mtiful that he could easily gather a quart of them. I[ vself collected a large number eight years ago and Miss ster has known of the habit for over twenty years. It would be interesting to get evidence of the same thing »ppening in other rookeries. The keeper informed us that 2 objects are brought chiefly from a sewage farm some sles away. The reason of the partiality of these Rooks - rubber is an enigma. A. HIBBERT-WARE. FBULLFINCH STRANGLED BY NEST HORSE-HAIR. i May 17th, 1930, at Trefnant, Denbighshire, I found an pparently unfinished nest of a Bullfinch (Pyrrhula p. nesa) pout 12 feet from the ground, in ivy growing on a small Scots fitree. Happening to pass that way on the afternoon of the me day, I heard the repeated call-note of an anxious Bull- ech, and glancing below the nest, found the female lying vad on the ground, very thoroughly and efficiently strangled a horse-hair, no doubt from its own nest. Some form of ose had been formed by the hair, which was so tightly cured that all reasonable force failed to remove it. W. M. CONGREVE. 28 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL, Xx PROBABLE RICHARD’S PIPIT IN KENT. On April 24th, 1930, I saw a strange Pipit, which I believe to have been a Richard’s Pipit (Anthus r. richardt) near Sea- brook in Kent. The bird was on a piece of waste land, and my sister and I watched it for some five or ten minutes at a distance of about twenty yards. The bird was obviously a Pipit, from its general brown colouring, fine beak and Wagtail-like habit. It was much larger than a Meadow-Pipit, and on looking carefully at the plumage I noticed at once some bright buff on the flanks Then, suspecting it to be one of the rarer Pipits, I noted details of the plumage with as much particularity as possible A narrow streak of bright buff extended along the flanks, just below the edge of the wing, and below that was a paler sandy streak which merged into the dull breast-colour. The flanks were entirely without spot, as were the lower breast and middle throat. The breast spots were confined to a gorget (more like a Sky-Lark than a Pipit) and to the sides of the throat. The upper plumage was very definitely streaked, longitudt nally, dark and light brown. The legs were light in colour. ALICE V. STONE PIED FLYCATCHERS IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AND MIDDLESEX: As the Buckinghamshire records of the Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa h. hypoleuca) appear to be scarce, it may be of interest to record that on April 30th, 1930, I observed a male of that species at Whaddon. The bird, which was in fine plumage, was seen clinging to an elder sapling in a small plantation and remained more or less stationary at a very close distance for several minutes. HENRY L. COCHRANE I had excellent views of a Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa hypoleuca) which visited my garden at Stamford Hill on May 2nd, 1930. S. AUSTIN, WESTWARD MIGRATION OF SWALLOWS AND MARTINS IN NORTH KENT IN AUTUMN. I was staying at Herne Bay, Kent, in September, 1929, and witnessed a migration of young Swallows (Hirundo r. rustica) and MHouse-Martins (Delichon u. urbica) which continued intermittently for some days. As the house at which I was staying was on the front, me XXIV, NOTES. 29 | excellent. opportunities of watching them, and _ the vowing are the notes I made. september ioth, 1929.—Large and continuous flocks of mse-Martins and young Swallows flying E. to W. against a ong west wind, which was described in the west of England ya gale! They followed the coast-line partly over the sea 1 partly over the land. - first saw them from my bedroom window at 7.30 a.m. smmer time). I took train to Margate and saw them still ing all along the line in large numbers until the train reached stgate at 10.30 a.m. (summer time). On reaching Margate, ‘ne were to be seen, so that they were either coming in from » sea, or else cutting across the Isle of Thanet and missing urgate. ocal House-Martins at Herne Bay and Swallows at urgate were still feeding young in the nest. September 22nd, 1929.—House-Martins and young Swallows jparties of six to twelve birds, flying E. to W. against a west d during the whole morning and afternoon. September 28th, 1929.—Since the 22nd September and up {to-day the strong west wind had dropped and there have en no migratory Swallow birds, but to-day the west wind ‘again strong and large and continuous flocks of House- artins have been flying E. to W. against it, from 10.15 m. (summer time) to 1.15 p.m. (summer time), when the ght ended. October 1st, 1929.—Local House-Martins feeding young in »e nest at Herne Bay and Canterbury. ‘October 3rd, 1929.—A large number of House-Martins on verne Bay front at 5.45 p.m. (summer time) and feeding on sspecies of t2pula (daddy long legs) which were flying in vofusion. Calm and warm weather. (October 4th, 1929.—The usual number of local House- rtins flying round with young out’ of the nest, which they ere feeding in the air. (October 5th, 1929.—House-Martins, Sky-Larks, Meadow- ‘October 6th, 1929.—Local House-Martins flying round all ay and at dusk clinging to the stucco on the sheltered side a house. ‘October 7th. 1929.—Local House-Martins gone at Herne aay. C. W. COoLTHRUP. 30 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV SWALLOW IN CHESHIRE IN DECEMBER. On December 4th, 1929, I watched for some time a Swallow (Hirundo yr. rustica) hawking over a railway embankment and an adjoining orchard at Hartford, Cheshire. I saw if again on the following day at the same place. JOHN Moore MALE RING-OUZEL BROODING. THE accompanying photograph, which I took quite recently on the moors near Llanfihangel, Denbighshire, may prove of interest as showing that the male Ring-Ouzel (Turdus ¢ torquatus) does occasionally assist in incubation. The male and female birds of this pair took regular turns at brooding, for, as often as not, I found either bird on the nest. Ina dentally, the female was much the more shy of the two. M. V. WENNER FOOD OF TAWNY OWL. In the nesting-hole of a Tawny Owl (Strix a. sylvatica) neat Bristol, which contained two young about a fortnight old on May 3rd, 1930, I found the remains of a Moor-Hen (Gallinula_ ch. chloropus). The head, neck and breast had been eaten, but the remaining parts were fresh. On May 12th, on visiting the nest again, I found many feathers (including tail- and wing feathers) of a Green Woodpecker (Picus v. virescens), indicating that the whole bird had been torn up. As the Practical Handbook does not mention the Moor Hen, and only one case of the Green Woodpecker, as food of the Tawny Owl, the above seem worth recording. H. H. Davis HEN-HARRIER IN YORKSHIRE. On April 21st, 1930, I was walking along a lane leading up to Harwood Dale Moor, near Staintondale, Yorks., when a large hawk flew overhead. It descended to about two feet above the heather and quartered the ground over a wide area finally disappearing over the skyline. During this time I had it in view with field-glasses and noted the following particulars: its colouring was mainly dark tawny-brown above; under-parts considerably lighter, and a rathe conspicuous white rump. Its flight reminded me at once of the Montagu’s Harriers which I had seen in the fens, but the area of white on the rump seemed much larger and more conspicuous, and I came to the conclusion that it was a female Hen-Harrier (Circus cyaneus). PETER C, ELLIS Male Ring-Ouzel incubating. (Photographed by M. V. Wenner.) 32 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XxXIy, REDSHANKS BREEDING IN CARMARTHENSHIRE Tue Practical Handbook states that the Redshank (Tvinga t totanus) breeds ‘“‘ sparsely in Wales,’ and I do not know o any published record of its breeding in this county. Fo some years now I have been confident that it has bred if the neighbourhood of Laugharne, and early in May, Ig2g Miss E. Falkener found a nest of this bird among dwar willow. On April 20th, 1930, I flushed a Redshank from nest of four eggs hidden in a small tuft of grass in the sam locality. J. F. THomas RECOVERY OF MARKED BrirpDs.—Correction.—On page 301 Vol. XXIII., No. R.R.2792 was put under the heading a ‘“Oystercatcher’, but this bird was a Lapwing, and shouk have been under the heading of that species. REVIEW. Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1928. By Evelyn V. Baxter an Leonora Rintoul. Reprinted from The Scottish Naturalist, 1929. WE much regret to learn from the introduction to this Report tha it is to be the last of the series. The Report has for many years bee most useful in tracing the movements, status and distribution off birds in Scotland. It is said to have served its purpose, but with thi we cannot agree since there is still a great deal to be learnt about th exact distribution of birds in Scotland, and unless this Report is issue we think many useful observations will go unrecorded. Instead a the Report it is proposed to concentrate on special enquiries, such a census of the birds in the smaller Scottish islands, but not all cai undertake to help in such enquiries, while others could do both thi and the old work, and we cannot but think that a great mistake i being made in bringing these valuable reports to an end. The following items of special interest not hitherto referred to i our pages appear in the present Report, all the dates referring to 1928 SCARLET GROSBEAK (Carpodacus e. evythrinus).—One at Fair Isle, October roth. CirL BuntinG (Emberiza cirvlus).—Two seen at Eglinton (Ayr.) on May 8th and one caught at Parkhill (Forfar.) on November 27th. ORTOLAN BuntTING (E£. hortulana).—One at the Bass Rock of May 2nd, some at Fair Isle on May 4th and one October gth. Woop-Lark (Lullula a. arborvea).—One at Fair Isle on January 30th and two on February 4th. RICHARD’S Pipit (Anthus r. richardi).—Two at Fair Isle October 5th YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (Phylloscopus h. premium).—At Fai Isle, September 20th to 28th. SIBERIAN LiSSER WHITETHROAT (Sylvia c. affinis)—In additio: to the two already reported at Fair Isle (antea, Vol. XXIII., p. 70), twe others between September 29th and October 2nd. SNOW-GOOSE (Ansey hyperboreus ? subsp.).—Three were reported it Islay in the winter of 1927-8 and two in 1928-9. SCANDINAVIAN LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus f. fuscus). Reported from Berwickshire, May 6th; Argyllshire, May 22nd ane Papa Westray (Orkney), August 8th. 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ROSENBERG 57, Haverstock Hill, London, N.W.3, England Telephone: Primrose Hill 0660 Price List of Birds of the World, including over 4,000 species, post free to readers of ‘“‘ British Birds.” Every description of collecting apparatus kept in stock. Also available: Price Lists of Eggs, Mammals, Reptiles, Lepidoptera, and books on Natural History. NSIBIRDS ITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘THE ZOOLOGIST.”’ EDITED BY ©. WITHERBY, M.B.E.,F.Z.S.,M.B.O.U.,H.F.A.O,U. ASSISTED BY EV. F.C. R. JOURDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.O.U., F.Z.S., AND NORMAN I. TICEHURST, O.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. CONTENTS OF NUMBER 2, VOL. XXIV., JULY I, 1930. —————— PAGE ifety Devices in Wings of Birds (Part II.). By Lieut. R. R. Graham, R.N., M.B.O.U. ... wae ae — vo Dia 34 ight Soaring of Swifts. By P. W. Masson ... sup ee 48 otes :— Carrion-Crow Building with Wire (N. T. Walford) ... a 51 Breeding-Habits of the Jackdaw (J. H. Owen) 51 Pied Flycatcher Eating Worms (A. Astley) ... 52 Hen Blackbird Incubating Thrush’s Eggs (A. T. Wilson) 52 Hoopoe in Argyllshire (Lt.-Col. G. H. Malcolm) 52 Coockoo Removing Another Cuckoo’s Egg from a Nest and its Sequel (J. S. Elliott) pee ne ea yes a 53 Garganey Breeding in Somersetshire (P. M. Meeson) oan 54 The Winter Status of the Bass Rock Gannets (Capt. G. Corlett) 54 Twenty-year-old Ringed Black-headed Gull (H. F. Witherby) 55 Spotted Crake in Hertfordshire (A. P. Meiklejohn) es 56 Breeding of the Spotted Crake in Somersetshire (P. M. Meeson ... ae ea a ate a ee ee 56 (34) SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS OF BIRDS. BY Lieut. R. R. GRAHAM, R.N., M.B.O.U. (Continued ) VII. THe MULTIPLE WING-TIP SLOT. One outstanding difference between the multi- and the single-slot wing is that in the former the slots extend right across the wing from front to rear. They must, therefore, serve some purpose additional to that of simply delaying the moment at which the wing-surface in rear of them stalls. With the notable exception of the game-birds, most of the bigger birds which have a high development of the multi-slot wing, such as Rooks, Ravens, Eagles, Buzzards, etc., are in the habit of soaring, or at least of gliding very slowly if they do not actually soar. As any experienced airman knows, the control of lateral balance becomes increasingly difficult as air-speed is reduced, so one is led to suspect that there may be some connexion between slots and lateral control at the low air-speeds used by soaring birds. Think of one of these birds as it glides slowly with wings set at a comparatively large angle of incidence* in order that it may make the best use of the low air-speed. If the tips of the wings were solid (7.e., un-slotted), and the bird wanted to alter its lateral attitude (put on “‘bank’’), a small change of the incidence of one wing-tip would only have the effect of altering the lift slightly on that side and of tilting the bird a little one way or the other ; but if the feathers in that wing-tip were already lying near the angle of “no lift” (as they would be if the wing were slotted) a small alteration of their incidence would either double the lift they might already be giving, reduce it to nothing, or actually reverse the direction of force and convert it into a downward reaction. In other words, a small movement of the control surfaces of a slotted wing has the same effect as a large movement in an _ unslotted one, and, further, a slotted wing-tip can go on giving lateral control at far greater angles of incidence of the main wing, than a solid one can. It is the automatic twisting of the emarginated parts of the primary feathers towards the line of the air-stream and the angle of “no lift’? that achieves this desirable result. * Sir G. T. Walker, in his paper on this subject, which appeared in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal], in 1924, makes out this incidence to be in the region of 28° for a soaring Vulture. hoL. xx1v.]} SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 39 There is a parallel to this controlling device in a certain pnan-made flying machine called the “ Pterodactyl” (the pvord means ‘‘wing-fingered’’). It is really, with all due feespect to its designer, only an experiment as yet; but it pnay well be the prototype of big things to come, for it can e made to perform efficiently in the air at lower speeds than can be used with any other modern fixed-wing aero- lane. Its best trick is the same controlled stalled descent bss was described on page 11, with this small difference, What in the Pterodactyl the controlling surfaces at the }ving-tips are not twisted towards the line of the air-stream »y means of air-reaction: instead, they are moved by the poilot himself. They consist of swivelling flaps which, in ‘orm, are prolongations of the wing-tips, and so have nothing fm front of them (as the ordinary aileron has) to disturb the }dow of the air before it reaches them. They can be moved, }ike ordinary ailerons, in opposition to each other, by means »f sideways motions of the control stick ; but they can also jpoe made to move together by pushing the stick backwards pund forwards. Thus, when a controlled stalled descent is »eing made, the pilot, by pulling the stick back, can turn Pooth flaps so that their front edges are lowered, and their frrailing edges raised, a movement which brings them into line with the air-stream. Then, if lateral control is required, side- ‘ways movements of the stick will make them work like normal failerons, in opposition to each other. Fic. 24. The Pterodactyl tailless monoplane. A sketch taken from a photograph to show the position of the controllers in a stalled descent. Figure 24 shows what the Pterodactyl looks like when it is ‘carrying out such a flight. The fact that it is tailless has mo bearing on the present discussion, but it may be as well 36 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. XXIV. to say, here, that the control flaps, being set so far back on the machine, can be used in the place of the elevators of a normal tail when they are moved in conjunction. _ No doubt Nature, having feathers to work with in place of the sheets of metal or fabric which we use, finds it more economical to employ a number of small surfaces for con- trolling than a single large one, such as the controller of the ‘“Pterodactyl” ; but it is just possible that investiga- tion of the matter might reveal something of use to aircraft, designers. A comparison between Figures 24 and 6 is illuminating in this respect. Z Direclhon oF ————_—_ ie B= Cag mavemenl Fic. 25. Section showing the probable flow of the air- stream through the wing-tip of the Eagle in Plate 1. Figure 25 illustrates another way of looking at this anti- stalling effect of the multi-slot wing-tip. It should be considered in connection with Plate I, as it is meant to be a diagrammatic sketch of a section taken through the separated wing-tip feathers of the left wing of the Eagle shown in Mr. Brook’s photograph.* The dotted arrows represent the probable flow of the air-stream. They are drawn by guessing, in the light of our present knowledge of the behaviour of air, at the way in which one would expect the air-stream to behave on meeting such an obstacle as this slotted wing-tip. Working backwards from the first feather, each blade in * We are much indebted to Mr. Arthur Brook for having allowed us to reproduce his photograph of a Golden Eagle in Plate 1, which appeared in the June issue.—Eps. ‘ VOL. xxIv.| SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 37 turn deflects the air-stream in a downward direction, so that tthe one behind it does not have to twist through such a large vangle to set itself at a similar angle of incidence. In this way the direction of flow of the air-stream is changed step iby step through a greater angle than the stalling angle, without the burbling that would certainly occur if the attempt ywere made to do it all in one act. Each feather is acting for the benefit of its “‘ next astern ”’ ‘in the same way that a Handley-Page auxiliary winglet does ‘for an aeroplane’s wing; while it is, at the same time, ‘producing a useful reaction in an upward direction, with ‘either a slightly backward, or slightly forward inclination, depending upon its position in the wing. The reason for the bending up of separated feather-tips ‘has been discussed, but the question whether they serve ‘any useful purpose in so doing still remains. There can be \little doubt that when so bent they improve stability ‘at low air-speeds. The surfaces of the blades of the ‘feathers, instead of facing upwards and downwards, point ‘more or less sideways, and so they become little keel-surfaces, ‘and, placed as they are at the ends of the long levers of the ‘wings, their effect must be considerable. Really they serve | the same purpose as the “‘ dihedral angle’ (upward inclination _of the wings from root to tip) used by aircraft designers to give lateral stability. ~VIII. THe RELATION BETWEEN SLOTS AND THE SHAPE OF WINGs. It was observed at the beginning of this paper that slots are not particularly noticeable in the wings of small birds in flight. The reason for this is that the eye fails to see them because they are very small, and the wings usually move at a great speed. The truth is that many of the small birds are very well equipped with slots. A Blue-Tit, for instance, has five ; a Song-Thrush (Turdus philomelus) three ; the Robin (Evithacus rubecula), Tree-Creeper (Certhia familiaris) and Long-tailed Tit (2githalos caudatus) have four ; but in none of these birds is their development so marked as in some of their large relations. Figure 26 shows two views of a Thrush’s wing with its slots fully opened, and Figure 27 similar views for comparison of the unslotted wing of a Swallow at full spread. As a rule, the slots of small birds are formed more by the emargination of the front webs of the feathers than of the rear ones, but these rear webs are usually so thin and flexible 38 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. that they must be very easily persuaded to blow upwards, in such a way as to clear the leading edge of the next feather behind. In moulted feathers, one often finds that the trailing ~ ~~ oS SS a -+-~—---3 \ if ‘ : \ EAS (Wee 7 1 =) - - Fic. 26. Upper and lower surfaces of Fic. 27. Upper and the left wing-tip of a Song-Thrush. lower surfaces of the left wing-tip of a Swallow. edges have been worn to shreds opposite the emarginated front web of the next feather in rear by continual engagement and release with it. Small birds probably derive a certain improvement in lateral control from their slots, but they do not often appear to carry out the stalled descent, and they certainly never do anything in the nature of soaring; they use a quick flap for a great part of their time in the air. Bearing this, and the somewhat different construction of their slots, in mind, we might do worse than try to find some other advan- tage that they may derive from them. All small birds that are well-equipped with slots possess comparatively short, square-tipped wings ; just the opposite in shape to those of the few that have no slots at all; and the slots seem to vary in number and development so strictly in accordance with the shape of the wings that one might almost formulate a law governing the matter. Compare the wings of the smaller birds among those shown in Figure 28. The Swallow’s is the longest and thinnest (relatively) and has no slots, though the tips of the first two flight-feathers are permitted by the friction areas just to separate for a distance of about half an inch inwards from their points (Figure 27). Then comes the pointed wing of the Starling, with two very short slots, and of the Quail with about dL. xxIv.| SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 39 ARAN | | COMMON TERN BLACKHEADED SWALLOW GOLDEN PLOVER WOODCOCK SHORT-EARED peas = 7 Scolopax OwL RE ie lt wee Jo a ce a ee Ploticne Asio fl lammeus Podiceps cristatus RUDDY NIGHT-HERON WRYNECK QUAIL STARLING KESTREL gicto. “Duck Mycticorax lyax lorguiila — Coturmx coturniz — Sturnusvulgaris — Fako tianunculus Gearca nyclicorax a IB . \ PS OWL NIGHTJAR LAPWING HOUSE-SPARROW PIED WAGTAIL SKY - LARK Bias $cOps Caprimulgus vane//us Passer domesticus Motacilla yarrel{ii Alauda europoeus vare/lus arverns/s GOLOFINCH SONG - THRUSH BLACKBIRD WHEATEAR BUZZARD HOOPOE Cardve//s Turaus philome/us Turdus merula GBneanthe cenenthe Butgoouleo Upupa epops carduels ATS TV AVN LITTLE BUSTARD REO-LEGGED GRIFFON VULTURE PARTRIOGE COCK - PHEASANT Otrs tetrax PARTRIOGE Gyps fulvus Perdis perdix Phesianus colchicus Alectoris rufa Fic. 28. Wings of a number of representative types of birds in the fully-spread position. All are reduced to a common size for the sake of comparison. ‘the same development. The latter’s wings are comparatively ‘long and narrow. The Wryneck has exactly the same length 40 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. of slot (1.2 in.), but that is relatively a better equipment, because its wing is I.3 in. shorter than the Quail’s, yet of the same breadth. The Wheatear, with its much broader and squarer wing has three quite well-developed slots, as also have the square-tipped wings of the Goldfinch and the Thrush. Here we seem to have an indication of the use of slots in the wings of small birds. It has long been known that the ideal aeroplane wing, from the point of view of “‘lift’’ alone, is one of infinite span, because such a wing, if it existed, would have no tip over which the air could escape sideways. Air, like other things we know, will avoid doing a job of work if it possibly can. Some of the air underneath a wing, instead of lifting a bird by allowing itself to be forced downwards by the action of the wing, will slide out sideways*, or even move upwards over the wing-tip into the region of.reduced pressure to join forces with another stream of air that is doing no good. This other stream consists of air that is moving in sideways to assist in filling up the partial vacuum on the top of the wing. All this air that is moving sideways and upwards consti- tutes a waste of energy, because the only way a wing can obtain lift is by causing air to move “ downwards.” The broader a wing-tip is, the greater will be the amount of air that thus tends to circulate around it, and the less efficient the wing will be. In Figure 29 the rectangular shapes, A and B, represent two wings of equal area, but A is three times as long as B, and therefore one-third of its breadth. Suppose that a particle of air strikes the leading-edge of wing A at point X. It endeavours to escape sideways from the pressure, but fails to do so before reaching the trailing edge at Y. That means that the wing has got full lifting value out of it; but any particles that strike the leading-edge outside point X will make good their escape without completing their job, sO we Can suppose that the area affected by wing-tip air-spill is the triangle XYZ. In wing B we might reasonably expect this area to be far larger (the triangle RQP) with a correspondingly greater loss; but if the tip is split up into a number of narrow winglets (keeping the total area the same), as in wing C, the affected area will consist only of the sum of the little shaded triangles in wing C, and that is a good deal smaller * The reason in technical language, is that a gas which is com- pressed, will tend to expand equally in all directions. By the same token, it will tend to flow into a space where there is a reduced pressure ; that applies to the top of the wing. iL. XxIv.] SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 41 an ROP. That is what Nature appears to have done to > short, broad wings of birds that cannot afford to have ag, narrow ones. The actual result is that circulation of from the lower to the upper-surface of the wing-tip Is duced. ; It is interesting to note that the slotted areas of a good uny of the wings shown in Figure 28 bear a distinct re- mblance to the affected areas of wings A and B. Z A flighl IG. 29. But why should we confine ourselves to small birds in osidering this theory ? Surely all birds that have separat- 4g wing-tip feathers must derive a certain amount of this enefit from them. The idea is supported by the fact that ome of the really big birds that have long and narrow wings, »ympared with, say, a Wheatear, are well supplied with ‘ots. Vultures, Cranes and Swans are good examples figure 30). Now compare the shape of their wing-tips ith those of the big birds that have no slots, the sea-birds ; ie unslotted wings are, without exception, the more sharply 42 BRITISH BIRDS. Fic. 30. Left, Crane; right, Swan (sketched from photographs). The reason why some birds, and not others, can afford to have pointed tips to their wings is not too clear, but it seems that a pointed tip must be longer than a square slottec one to have the same value ; and whereas a bird that always flies in the open, such as a Sea-Gull or a Swallow, will not find that his long wings get in the way, one that lives among trees and bushes, and other things that obstruct the ai if so equipped, would find them a decided encumbrance. So the root of the matter would appear to be this: that if his method of living will permit, a bird will have long narrow, pointed wings of efficient aerofoil shape because that is the nearest he can get to the ideal wing; but if must have shorter ones to suit his environment, he cannot afford to have them pointed, because such a shape would deprive him of some of his wing-area; therefore, in ordei to prevent the great waste of surface that the spilling of the air over a broad wing-tip occasions, he must have it split up into a number of small aerofoils of efficient shape. Incidentally, this “shaping”’ of the wing is known in aeronautical circles as the aspect ratio. A long, narrow wing is said to have a high aspect ratio, and a short, broad one a low aspect ratio. The ratio is length divided by breadth, so if one wants the aspect ratio of a bird’s wing the mean breadth must be taken. Some aspect ratios areé given in the table at the end of this paper. Game-birds, such as the Partridge, Pheasant and Black-cock are excellent examples of the type that cannot afford to have long, narrow wings. Instead, they have multi-slotted broad, square-tipped ones. Black-cock and Pheasants actus ally have six slots in each wing, and proportionately thesé slots are among the longest of any that are found in British birds | xxiv.) SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 43 1X. SLots IN FLAPPING FLIGHT. rc. Archibald Thorburn’s excellent pictures of game-birds ixght and many others, have made everyone familiar with appearance of their wings, with their many-fingered 1 Figure 31 shows the shape of the individual flight- tu The first eight flight-feathers of a Partridge. Fic. 31. Upper covert feathers MNy= ~ ——_— Under coverls 3. 32. Under-surface of a Partridge’s right wing-tip. The unemar- ginated parts of the feathers are shaded where they overlap. tthers of a Partridge’s wing, and Figure 32 how they fit eether and form the well-marked slots. One should not 44 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XxM be too sure that the action of this type of slot is quite th same as that described already, because the broad parts ¢ the webs, inside the steps, are mostly so very short thg they cannot have the same power to limit the separatin, of the feathers as have those of a Buzzard, for instang (Figure 4). This type of stepping-down is known to ornithe ogists as ‘“‘ basal emargination.”’ The extreme squareness of the wing fits in with the theo of wing-tip air spill; it is also possible that these slots ma be of use to a Partridge for control when he is using a hig angle of incidence in gliding flight; but they are so ver long that one cannot help suspecting that their unusual shag is in some way connected with the characteristic fast-flappit flight of all game-birds. In the wing of a Partridge all g slots extend inwards for over one-third of the span of tI wing, which may therefore be considered as consisting ¢ two sections, the slotted and the solid. The question “how does the slotted section behave under the conditio of the extremely rapid beat of these birds ? ”’ Before attempting to answer that question, it is necessal to run quickly through the action of a wing in simple, straight forward, flapping flight. The most important thing ft remember is that the force produced by the reaction ¢ displaced air must act, for the most part, upwards to countel act gravity; but also in a slightly forward direction 1 overcome the comparatively weak force of the resistan¢ of the air to the passage of the bird’s body. For the sake of argument, let us imagine a case in whi the required direction of total reaction is 10° forward of th vertical. Yo obtain it, the blades of the wings must lie 1 a plane tilted 10° (approximately) forward of the horizonta The inclination of that plane governs the direction in whi the wings must move through the air, for the air-streal created by their movement must strike them at a suitable ang of incidence. Suppose that this angle is ro° ; then the wing must move forward through the air on a path inclined @ 20° below the horizontal, as shown in Figure 33. Til gradient path is a combination of the forward movemer of the bird through the air and the downward movement ¢ the wings themselves. During this down-beat, the wings, having their bone much nearer the leading than the trailing edges, will aut matically tend to turn their blades into line with the ai stream ; so all that a bird has to do to apply the ten degre xxIV.] SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 45 ‘cidence, is to prevent his wings turning any further, . they have reached that incidence. ‘much for the down-beat. With regard to the up-stroke, conly necessary to say here that, as a rule, no lifting or mg force is produced ; instead, the wings are relaxed ‘allowed to stream-line themselves so that they offer timinimum of resistance to the downward and backward @iient air-stream which they must encounter whilst ing up. The subject of the detailed working of wings ij fferent phases and forms of up-strokes is such a tremen- one that it could, like the question of the down-beat, be ee to fill a book by itself. Wirection of G. 33. The action of a section of wing in the down-beat. §B.—The path of the section through the air. ‘B and AB.—The downward and forward the movement of the section while it is travelling from O to B. .—The direction in which the Total Resultant Force acts. ‘he action of the slot-forming feathers in the up-stroke ears simply to be to join in with the others in effacing mmselves as much as possible. During a single down-beat in straightforward flapping tht, all points on a wing move forward about the same ttance, but the distance they move down varies a great u, from approximately nothing at the shoulder to a ‘xximum at the tip. Therefore the wing-tip encounters a «ch steeper gradient air-stream than the wing-root, and get the required incidence along the whole span, the fg itself must be twisted like the blade of a propeller. It mms probable that no incidence is given to the wing-root id only a small amount at points inside the wrist ; otherwise 46 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. the reaction at those points would be directed backwards from the vertical—the last thing that is wanted. That being gg the twisting would be reduced, but still a good deal woul remain. That it does remain is borne out by photographs (Figure 34), and one can see it, by watching closely, with th naked eye. Fic. 34. The down-beat seen from behind showing the twist in the wings. Sketched from photographs. Left, fantail Pigeon ; right, Crane The quicker the down-beat, the steeper will be the gradien of the air-stream encountered by points situated near th tip of a wing, unless the forward speed is correspondingl increased. Game-birds, such as Partridges, usually do fly at great speeds, but for the time being consider one that ha not got up full speed. With its exceptionally quick beat one would expect its wings to be very much twisted in th down-beat, but in the few poor photographs which art obtainable of these birds in flight, there appears to be ever less twisting of the wings than in slower-flapping birds ; s¢ one is led to suspect that the action of the slots is to allow the feathers that form them to twist individually. This i almost the same action as that of the wing-tip slots of a soaring bird, the main difference being that practically the whole feather (except in the case of the rearmost slotted ones) is free to twist, because the unemarginated overlapping parts are so short. It appears then that each separate feather works away by itself, just like a little wing of very high aspect-ratio (long and narrow), giving the bird the double advantage of saving wing-tip air-spill and weight ; for a wing that could compete with the extreme twisting that an unslotted Partridge’s wing would require would have to be very strong indeed and therefore heavy. Figure 35 shows what a section of the wing taken half-way along the open slots might be expected to look like undef these conditions. The pecked lines show the direction 0 the air-flow between the feathers, and the arrows show the . xxIv.] SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 47 fhoable direction of the resultant force reacting on each @her. They remind one rather of a row of turbine blades. w R R ~ R Ss ~ ~ br f ~. ~ - = 7 ~ sf a he _ Gon o ~ ~ Senin Ay a tee ~ Direct! ee =. SST, = 2 ee ae pg Fight ~ - . ca ey ge e~ ria aS oS U% Mg es an Sy wo a . - ‘ 4 Ac Sfream 3. 35. Probable flow of air through the separated flight-feathers of a Partridge in the down-beat. ‘his action of the slots in the down-beat seems to be policable to the flapping flight of all birds that have wing- ‘slots, for the feathers can easily be seen to separate in }h stroke ; at any rate in such birds as Rooks and Crows. careful watching it can even be seen in faster-flapping ds, such as Pigeons. It is quite probable that this ““doing ay with the need for the whole wing to twist” is one of most important duties of wing-tip slots. (To be concluded.) (48 ) NIGHT SOARING OF SWIFTS. BY P. W. MASSON. In 1926 I undertook a series of observations to test the validity of a belief of a friend that male Swifts (Apus a. apus) “spend one or two nights in the height of summer at a very high altitude. It must be set fair with the further outlook favourable also.”’ At that time I had been living for about twenty-five years in Belvedere, Kent, in a house under the eaves of which Swifts nested. Their numbers varied from year to year- from three to seven pairs. Under these circumstances it was really impossible not to observe the Swifts, and one’s admiration for the wonderful quality of their flight grew, for, in a very real sense, the Swift has attained to perfection in flight During 1926 I had the good luck to witness ten or twelve ascents of Swifts on as many different evenings. Although no two ascents were exactly similar yet they agreed w detail more than they differed. Some considerable practice and experience are required to watch these ascents effectivel One must be provided with a pair of really good glasses oI moderate power but with large lenses, owing to the late hout at which the observations must be made. Moreover, to get af unobstructed view, a platform on the roof of a house is the best station if that can be obtained within, say, 600 yards of the axis of the ascent. In 1926 I had such an observation platform. Here I had a body-rest, head-rest and arm-rest and a pair of good Ross prism glasses. The ascent of the Swifts is bewildering to follow—there seems to be no core of purpose or leader of the flock. Doubtless there must be a leader but he is difficult to spot. Quite the best method is not to bother about the leader but to put the glasses on any likely bird and stick to it. The others are there and they will come into your field of vision higher up. If the trail is lost it can rarely be recovered. I made a practice of entering up my notes within ten minutes of leaving the platform. To describe what I saw it will be best to give extracts from my notes of an ascent watched on July 14th, 1926, which was the best view I had during the season. The day had been fine and warm with a brisk easterly breeze, and the Swifts had been feeding fairly high up—say 700 feet. By 9g p.m. (summer time) they were all low down in extraor dinary numbers. Round my station there were easily fifty | birds, and at adjoining stations other considerable groups. | .. XXIv.] NIGHT SOARING OF SWIFTS. 49 ircus ’ parties were in vogue everywhere, and there was cood deal of brisk excitement, but not to the point of zasy, though there were a few cases of hovering which may megarded as such. 3y 9.25 all the birds abruptly disappeared to their nests. 9.30 one or two reappeared and flew around without ‘itement. By 9.35 the number had increased to ten or lve. These birds went up to perhaps 2,000 feet and then nae right down again. Again they made their way up a very loose formation, so much so that I had to undon the group and stick to one bird. Che time was now 9.38 to 9.39. I kept my glasses rigidly eed to one bird. He was climbing, and at first I found ‘y four birds crossing my field of vision, but at about ‘I my bird led me into the main army, a mass of nearly aundred birds away to the north of my position. The iden transition from one bird to a mass of a hundred was enjoyable surprise. The group was, on the whole, fairly pact. Having a good prop for my head, I ventured to look over » glasses and not through them, and judged that the birds mre up about half a mile. So they had not climbed very tt. There was a great deal of hovering. Looking now ain through the glasses the hovering movement looked ‘ferent. The wing vibration was extraordinarily rapid, but was also accompanied by a slight lateral glide. This glide ould not see through the naked eye, but it was clear with » glasses. Between this time and 9.45 the birds had eved right over my head and climbed until they reached ‘estimated height of 1 to 1$ miles, at which height I lost » group. So steady was their location, and so firm were body supports, that I was able to look over and through : glasses repeatedly, and yet always retain or regain the vup in my field of vision. It is impossible to estimate eghts through glasses—but it is very risky to look over {1 not always through. Finally, I picked up a star in my (d. I looked over—no star was visible—through, it was un visible. I repeated this—yet held my birds. Finally, : birds faded out of sight. \part from the scientific value of such a wonderful climb— : emotional value seems even greater. It produces a rare ill of wonder and delight. ‘At one moment one is surrounded with a swarm of birds mear to the earth that one could almost put out one’s hand 50 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL, xxIv, and touch a bird. A very concrete reality. And to see these same birds mount and mount until they coalesce into a single’ group, the group merge into a small cloud—smaller and smaller, until it becomes a patch, and the patch a small con- stellation, yet visibly alive in its parts—and so small that it could apparently be covered by the human hand. All within the short time-interval of, say, ten minutes. But to return to Mother Earth. How can we be sure that the birds do not come down again and roost on tree-tops and house-ridges for the night? They may do so, but in an experience of thirty years I have only once seen a Swift on a house-top and never on a tree. Still, during migration, it is reasonable to assume that the Swifts must rest on trees and house-tops—where else can they rest, having left their nest far behind ? But if they come down they do not re-enter their nests Of that I am sure for physical reasons. A Swift often buil no nest. In this district it just occupies a ledge inside th roof, and access to all the nests is between a slate batten an a slate and between a slate batten and the top of a brick wall and the approach to that is usually under an overhangin roof. The bird must, therefore, describe a curve down an up in approach, land on the wall under the eaves, dig hi claws into the brick and crawl through the slit referred to Under the eaves darkness sets in long before it does in th open sky, and to attempt such an entrance in inky blacknes any bird would kill itself in the attempt. Still there remains the question—do the birds come down and roost in the open? The only way to prove conclusivel that they do not is to go up in an aeroplane and find the soaring in their aerial “ park’’—to cruise round the flock and by aid of a searchlight get details of how the bird maintain their height in the “ park ”’ all night. CARRION-CROW BUILDING WITH WIRE. NW June 4th, 1930, half-way up the iron-work of a wind-pump 1. Preshute Down, near Marlborough, I found the nest of a sarrion-Crow (Corvus c. corone) containing three young. The est had very few sticks in it, but was almost entirely built pieces of wire and rabbit bones, a whole set of ribs being . 1a O30 : fore- 0b 9 I ae Q- ae \ SSS Fic. 36. Under-surface of the left wing of a Dove, with the covert feathers removed. This limb has a set of nerves and muscles all of its own. Headley, in The Flight of Birds (1912), remarks that it has more muscles than one would expect to be at the service of so insignificant a piece of machinery. Nowadays (1930) we know that it is not so insignificant, except perhaps in size. Shufeldt, in his Myology of the Raven, says that the muscles and tendons that serve the bastard wing are so arranged that when the main wing is fully spread the feathers of this tiny winglet are also spread so that they present the greatest amount of superficial area to the atmosphere, that is, they are ready for action. vot. xxiv.] SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 59 When the main wing is at a fairly small angle of incidence, sand there is no risk of a stall, the bastard wing serves no ‘active purpose. It is so shaped that it forms part of the ‘leading edge and therefore, with that part of the wing, is ssubject to pressure from the air-stream, as a glance at Figure 1 ywill show. This pressure keeps it in position, and it does mothing more than fill in the slight “‘ re-entrant curve”’ in tthe leading edge of the main wing which can be seen in [Figure 36. When a wing is at normal angles of incidence, the area of »pressure on the leading-edge covers the whole breadth of the ‘bastard wing, but as the incidence is increased the area of ‘suction moves forward and sucks the bastard wing upwards. This may seem to be rather an astonishing statement, but, ‘bearing in mind that the air which passes over the top of a ywing cannot exert any upward suction until it has passed ‘over the summit of the curve (or camber), one can see from a «comparison of Figures I and 2 how the movement comes about. In the wing which lies at the smaller angle of incidence, tthe summit of the curve (with respect to the horizontal) is fairly far back and the upward suction does not begin till the Jsair has passed that point, but in the wing which is at the egreater angle the summit of the curve (and consequently the sarea of suction) is much further forward. Thus, as the mneidence of a wing increases, the region of suction extends forwards until it eventually reaches the bastard wing and lifts it. It can be so lifted without difficulty, for its joint is easily fflexed in the upward direction. In fact, it will answer to the “fan test’ described on page 17 even better than wing-tip sslots do. The upward force which the suction exerts may perhaps © bbe added to by muscular action in accordance with Headley’s observation, and may also be augmented by that part of the air-stream which passes under the leading edge of the main Fic. 37. Left wing of a Woodcock seen from below and in front, showing the bastard wing in the “‘slot-closed”’ position. AB.= Total length of the bastard wing. 60 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. Kaave wing, for there is a little pocket formed between the front of the bastard wing and the “‘re-entrant curve”’ mentioned above into which air must press with increasing force as the angle of incidence gets greater. In Figure 37 this pocket is shaded black. But one thing seems certain, and that is that the opening of the wrist-slot is mainiy automatic and that it is brought about in the same way as the opening of a Handley- Page slot. Once the initial upward movement has started, a stream of air passes between the main and bastard wings and assists the suction in its work by pressure from beneath. Having formed part of the curved-down leading edge of the main wing, the bastard wing, when acting on its own, finds itself to have a considerably smaller angle of incidence than its Fic. 38. Probable flow of the air-stream through the wrist-slot of a Blackcock, A. near the root of the bastard wing and B. near the tip. parent (see Figure 38), therefore it remains effective and unstalled when the main wing has passed the stalling angle. Another result of its smaller incidence is that the force reacting approximately at right angles to its surface is directed more forward than that on the main wing. Consequently, ‘it is dragged forward as well as upward, like the separated feathers which form wing-tip slots. Further, the angle at which the pivot of the joint is set allows of motion more easily in that direction than in any other. The upward and forward displacement can be clearly seen in Figure 6. The right wing of the Marsh-Harrier provides a plan view which shows the forward movement, and the left wing an elevation which shows the upward movement. Nearly all bastard wings are curved down not only from front to back, but also from root to tip, so that when they are in the open position and the curve has been slightly reduced by the upward force of air-reaction, they lie nearly parallel with the leading edge of the main wing and are to all intents and purposes in the same position with regard to it as the VOL. XxIv.] SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 61 auxiliary aerofoil of an aeroplane wing which is fitted with the Handley-Page device; that is, displaced to a position parallel with, above, and in front, of it. ; me ty WOES Se esscereeegessalzics | Ca ui th ie iP | . aa ' Bastard wing of a Blackcock. A. Seen from below and in front. B. From above, slightly foreshortened. Their action when in that position must be very much the same as that of the separated tip of the first flight-feather of a single-slot wing described on page 14, in other words it acts as an automatic safety device to prevent stalling when a large angle of incidence has to be used. The action of the closing of the slot formed by the bastard wing must be just the reverse of the opening action. Put shortly, it may be said that as the incidence of the main wing diminishes towards the angle at which the assistance of an auxiliary to prevent stalling is no longer required, the incidence of the bastard wing, being already less than that of the main wing, approaches the angle of “‘ no lift,’’ and finally it experi- ences a downward reaction which forces it down into its “‘ stowed position ”’ in the re-entrant curve. It is possible that the tiny “ flexor ’”’ muscle (flexor brevis pollicis), which is so arranged that it pulls downwards on the bastard wing, assists air-pressure in this process, and it is also possible that the ‘‘ extensor ’’ muscles, which are designed to pull upwards on it, come into play in the opening process more than has been suggested ; but the most likely duty of these muscles is to damp down the movements of the bastard wing and “steady ”’ it in the closed or open position, just as the springs of the Handley-Page slotted wing device do. Shufeldt says of the “ flexor’’ muscle that it is suffi- ciently powerful to retain the bastard wing in the closed position when the wing is folded. SW ny SAN \ 62 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. xxv, The considerations which govern the length of the bastard wing in different types of birds form a most interesting study, Like the wing-tip slot, this other form seems to be influenced chiefly by the aspect ratio, for birds with long, narrow, pointed wings, like the sea-birds, and such birds as the Golden Plover ( N Fic. 40. Meadow-Pipit about to alight to feed a young Cuckoo. The wrist- slots are open. (Sketched from a photograph.) and Woodcock, have smaller bastard wings than the short- winged types, such as the game-birds; though, again, such matters as wing-loading, size of bird, speed of flap, span- loading (weight carried per unit of length between wing-tips)* and habits of living may have a certain influence as well. Figure 40 and the left-hand bird in Figure 41 show examples of the bastard wing in action, and the right-hand bird shows the appearance of a wing when the slot is closed. ae TN Fic. 41. Great Black-backed Gull; on left with the wrist-slots open and on the right, closed. (Sketched from photographs.) * Data on these matters will be found on page 64. VOL. XxIv.}] SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 63 It would be rash to come to any conclusions as to the lessons that are to be learned from the anti-stalling devices of birds without careful considerations of the influence that flapping fight may have upon their design ; but two things seem to sstand out clearly : (1) that the ideal glider is one that has great sspan, high aspect ratio, and pointed wing-tips, like an Alba- ttross, and (2) that such a glider would probably be but little improved by the presence of any form of anti-stalling device, either on the main wing or on the control surfaces. But if practical considerations, such as structure-weight, housing sand handiness for operation, dictate a smaller span, then it us worth while considering the fitting of some form of aid to econtrol and lift. As all aeroplanes are, in effect, gliders with »motors in the place of gravity to give them forward movement, (the same thing should apply to them as well. SUMMARY. The connections between the ways of birds in the air, their size, the shape and loading of their wings, the presence er absence of slots, and, when present, their development, ue so intricate that many years of investigation would be required before really satisfactory conclusions could be reached. The surface of the subject has only been scratched in this paper, but it is hoped that the scratches will have indicated the amazing width of this field for research and the possibility of the riches that may be found m it. For what they are worth, the observations, theories and tentative conclusions which have been mentioned are summarized below. 1. Wing-tip slots are formed by the gaps left between the emarginated tips of the flight-feathers of a fully-spread wing. 2. They vary in number, if present at all, from one to eight, and in size from nearly half the length of a wing to mere vestiges. 3. Their presence appears to depend primarily on the oroportionate length of the wings of a bird and on the shape of their tips. Short wings, with rounded or square tips, uave the greatest number and the highest development of hese slots. Long, narrow, pointed wings have none. 4. By doing away with mutual support between feathers, ‘slots form an automatic anti-stalling device, which appears co work in somewhat the same way as the Handley-Page slotted aeroplane wing. 5. Wing-tip slots increase lateral control at low air-speeds. 64 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV, 6. They reduce the losses in efficiency of a wing that are due to the spilling of air over the tip. 7. They reduce the amount of twisting that is required in flapping flight to align the outer parts of a wing reasonably near the gradient of the air-stream, which is much steeper at the tip than near the shoulder. 8. The final spreading of a wing, which opens the slots, appears to be done automatically, air-reaction dragging the separated feathers forward when the incidence is sufficiently high. 9g. Over-spreading of a wing, to the extent that gaps would appear between the feathers on the body side of the inner extremities of the slots, is prevented by means of special friction surfaces on the overlapping parts of the feathers. io. The wings of all birds found in the British Isles possess a second anti-stalling device situated just outside the wrist- joint,in the shape of the bastard wing. Its size varies in different species from about one-tenth of the length of the wing to about three-tenths. In form, action, and effect, it more closely resembles the Handley-Page auxiliary aerofoil than wing-tip slots do. SOME INTERESTING DATA. Ibs. per Oz. per Soeeen sq. ft. Lt: Ibs. Slot estas (wine Sp°-n : Aspect. Factor. cee Loading. Loading. Weight. Ratio, Pheasant (P. colchicus) ... apa as) 0.27 3.0 22.0 3.0 E77 Blackcock (L. tetrix) es Rea et 0.24 2.5 13.0 2.6 2:57, Capercaillie (T. urogallus) ses EO 0.21 3.0 28.0 7.0 2.85 Willow-Grouse (L. lagopus) Sop Bele 0.22 2.9 13.1 1.8 2.6 Partridge (P. perdix) wae oes) ZOO 0.22 2,15 17.0 0.7 2.26 Griffon Vulture (G. fulvus) sae) iad 0.14 1.85 31.0 16.2 2.7 Red-legged Partridge (A. rufa)... 1.14 0.3 2.5 10.0 1.0 2.07 Little Bustard (0. tetrax) iene 0.15 1.56 7.7 187, 2.95 Hoopoe (U. epops) ane Ah ee) 0.16 0.55 Te 0.16 2.0 Buzzard (B. buteo) Arn eps 0.17 0.62 4.8 5) 2.84 Wheatear (@, cenanthe) . pr OuDA: 0.15 0.36 0.86 0.045 23 Blackbird (I. merula) .. tas, LOSYS 0.16 0.82 5.6 0.19 Zar Song-Thrush (T. philomelus) 33 O.55 0.17 0.77 2.0 0.14 2.4 Goldfinch (C, carduelis) ... eee ORE: 0.15 0.36 0.68 0.027 2.35 Sky-Lark (A. arvensis) ... a5 (O40 0.14 0.37 0.9 0.055 2.3 Pied Wagtail (M. a. yarrellii) ... 0.47 0.18 0.41 0.85 0.047 2587, House-Sparrow (P. domesticus) ... 0.45 0.16 0.43 ti 0.05 2.5 Lapwing (V. vanellus) ... ree LOMSO) 0,14 0.57 2.9 0.4 2.9 Nightjar (C. ewropeus) ... we OES O 0.16 0.4 1.3 0,14 4.6 Scops Owl (0. scops) fe soe OLSd 0.2 0.64 2.4 0.26 2.43 Kestrel (F. tinnunculus) ... we O20) 0.19 nese a7 0.48 3.26 Starling (S. vulgaris) os Soe hess 0.16 0.76 1.9 0.16 2.9 Quail (C. coturnix) aoa days O22 0.2 104 3.2 0.25 2.8 Wryneck (J. torquilla) ... ee BOLTS 0.12 0.7 1.37 0.09 2.75 Night-Heron (N. nycticorax) sae OLS 0.21 0.88 II.o 2.25 2.6 Ruddy Sheld-Duck (C. ferruginea) 0.12 0.17 2.0 7.8 1.38 3.6 Great Crested Grebe (P. ee) O.IL 0.15 3.5 9.8 1.5 4.2 Short-eared Owl (A. REN O.1 0.13 0.76 4.8 1.0 3.3 Woodcock (S. rusticola) ... = 0,0 0.11 1.25 6.0 0.75 3.0 Golden Plover (C. apricarius) ... 0.0 0.12 IZ a8 0.19 3.6 Black-headed Gull (L. ridibundus) 0.0 0.12 0.62 2.47 0.44 4.73 Swallow (H. rustica) an 0.0 0.13 0.34 0.8 0.05 3.7 1. xxiv.| SAFETY DEVICES IN WINGS. 65 .CoLumn 1.—Gives the total length of slot that opens between )parating feathers in one wing, as a fraction of the length of the wing eeasured from tip to body. The length of any one slot has been taken » be the length of the front margin of the slot when it is fully open. ‘COLUMN 2.—Gives the length of the bastard-wing as a fraction of ee length of the wing. As it is difficult to determine how much of uis winglet is actually operative, owing to some of it being blanked ‘{ by small feathers near the root, the measurement has, in all cases, een taken by sliding a ruler under it and pressing in towards the wing- ot as far as possible. Co_LuMN 3.—For the purpose of obtaining the wing loading, the ‘ea used is the area of the greatest projection of the fully-spread ings, cut off at the elbow joints. This point has been used rather 1an the junction of wing and body, because the feathers that spring om the upper arm of a bird do not seem to be designed to produce ay lift. They appear to serve the purpose of reducing the air- *sistance of the limb by giving it a stream-line shape. They swivel asily either upwards or downwards, instead of resisting an upward ressure as the secondary feathers do. |\Co_tumn 4.—Gives the weight in ounces carried per foot span of ‘ing. These units were chosen as giving convenient figures. ‘CoLumMNn 6.—Gives the ratio of fineness (or aspect ratio) of the wings, rived at by dividing the length of a wing by its mean breadth. The mgth is taken as the distance between wing-tip and body, and the meadth by means of five measurements, of which the result is the verage. These are at the elbow joint, one-quarter, one-half, and three- arters of the distance between it and the wing-tip and then, in order to ve the wing-tip its full share of importance, the fifth measurement taken at one-eighth of the distance in from the tip to the elbow. The figures given above are only intended to give a rough idea of ow the data vary with different types of birds and different methods ‘f flying. They should not be considered as accurate because they do sot represent averages taken from a large number of birds, and because sccuracy in measurement of these things is well-nigh impossible. (66 ) FIELD-NOTES ON THE SHELD-DUCK. BY CAPTAIN F. W. DEWHURST, R.m. THE following notes on the Sheld-Duck (Tadorna tadorna) were obtained during the last five years on a tidal branch of the River Tamar, Cornwall. MIGRATION.—A few pairs remain in home waters all the year round. In the middle of January I only counted two pairs in the river, but on February Ist a flock of about 150 had arrived on the Lower Flats. From the end of April until September, 1929, a flock of about 70-8o birds inhabited the Upper Flats, some two miles up river. I do not know when they left, as my boat was hauled up. These birds were all adult males, either unmated or birds in their first year. TERRITORY.—Early in March the various pairs begin to take up their breeding areas. These areas are well defined and no trespassing is allowed. If a stranger flies over he is threatened by notes, but if he alights he is immediately attacked and driven off by the male. The same areas are occupied each year. If undisturbed, the nest can be looked for within 20-30 yards of the same place each year. One creek about 1,000 yards long holds four breeding pairs each year. Another creek about the same length, but narrower, holds three pairs. CourtTsHIP.—In the early mornings of mid-April, single birds constantly fly up and down the river and creeks, much to the annoyance of the mated males with territory. I presume these are bachelors in search of unmated females. The mating season, I consider, is during the latter half of April. Every morning between 5.30 and 6.0 a.m., for about a fortnight, round about 25th April in 1927, most of the breeding birds in the district used to congregate in a field 50 yards from the creek. One morning I counted fourteen pairs, although the creek only held four nesting pairs. Much bowing and bobbing and other displays were gone through. I have no record of the actual sounds they made, but sounds there were, I remember. I never saw actual mating. NESTING-SITES.—Both birds become very excited when their nesting area is approached by man. They fly overhead, to and fro, giving the danger call, but they will not attack one. The male has various calls: (a) That used for the .L. XxIv.] FIELD-NOTES ON SHELD-DUCK. 67 itack; (b) that used for danger about; (c) that used for idden alarm; (d) that used for love talk, courtship. Rabbit holes on the banks are the most common nesting- ites. They are generally near the top of the bank, 6-8 feet yo. The nest is usually 4-5 feet from the entrance. Very ‘ten a bolt-hole also connects with the nest. In 1928 I ound a nest in a wood on a hill, a good half-mile inland. this nest was built in a clearing on the level ground under eeep bracken. The bird deserted while still laying, so I satched the eggs out under a hen. In May, 1929, a pair were noticed, four mornings in succes- on, looking for a nesting-site on a steep hillside covered ith bracken about a quarter-mile from the end of the creek. In 1927, I came across a young brood one morning about iree-quarters of a mile inland making for the head of the ceek. In my opinion, these inland nesting-places are ly used when no other areas on the creeks are suitable or vailable. I have mentioned before that in mid-April single birds ponstantly fly up and down the creek, but occasionally a air of birds are seen flying together. If this happened ly in May one could be pretty certain that they were aated, but had no nesting area. If one watched them vying up and down the creek and out into the river, one sould eventually locate where they settled inland. I found wo or three nests like this. THE Nest.—The eggs are laid daily, early in the morning sefore 7.0 a.m. Clutches seem to hold eight to eleven eggs. My earliest full clutch—ten eggs—was on May Ist, 1927. own is not plucked into the nest until three to four eggs mre laid. When the clutch is nearing completion the eggs rre left covered all day. When sitting, the female comes off the nest to feed twice a day, but not during the last forty- ight hours before hatching, generally on the full or an - ‘bbing tide. The Sheld-Duck is single brooded. The male takes no wart in the incubation, but he always remains on guard vrithin fifty yards of the nest. If he can warn his mate in iime she will come off her nest, the eggs being always care- willy covered over first, otherwise she sits fast. I have ‘cequently caught females on their nests. Most birds are ‘itting in the latter half of May. In 1928, two nests which I tested—by opening—on May 23rd and 28th contained hard set eggs which I judged 68 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xxiv to be about half-incubated. Hatching eggs under a hen, | made the incubation-period twenty-three days, the eggs never got cold: and twenty-seven days from a deserted nest, The eggs will not hatch out well if left dry. They must be kept well moistened. I found the best home-made nest was: (a) in the open, if I had a hen sitting out ; (5) if indoors, on a large sod of turf well-soaked, a layer of straw and a lining of hay. During the week before hatching the eggs should be immersed daily in tepid water. The hen must be made to come off daily to feed. Younc.—When hatched under a hen the young thrived well on oyster-grit, fish-meal, fish, boiled cabbage, flaked maize, barley meal and meat. Their water was salted. When feeding they continually rushed from the food bowl to the water bowl to clean their mouths. Also, a piece of meat or cabbage was nearly always taken to the water and eaten in the water. } I tried putting young wild-hatched Sheld-ducklings wit young Khaki Campbell ducklings under a hen and under duck, but the former were too wild and got lost by running off and hiding themselves. Neither would the various broods intermix. The only safe method was to keep them in a hut or wired-in enclosure, however they were hatched. Naturally, those hatched under a hen thrived the best. It was amazing to watch the different rates of growth in the same brood. The weaklings eventually died, especially during the critical period, 7.e., when losing their down and getting their feather- quills: through—about five to seven weeks’ old. They get their full plumage early in September. It soon becomes evident which are the young males. Their bodies appeared longer, especially at the tail end. Also the quills of the tail-feathers are stronger, larger and darker and stick out more. The red knob on the beak of the male does not appear till they are in full plumage. When the tide is out, and a family party is suddenly approached on the mud flats, they scatter at once for the banks and conceal themselves, crawling up any available holes or under logs. But, for preference, the female takes them to water, where they swim away first and dive as the are approached. The male flies off, circling round, an generally settles on the water again about 200 yards off. The female feigns injury and flaps along the water, continually calling and almost whistling to her brood. .. Xxiv.] FIELD-NOTES ON SHELD-DUCK. 69 {f the brood is approached from afar, the female swims very fast and the young follow at great speed. Skimming mg almost on the top of the water, flapping their tiny ngs, they look like Moorhens rising on the water or a speed- vat going along. The young whistle a lot when in danger. The old birds not dive, but will feed with their heads and necks under iter. The young dive as soon as they get to water— vyhow, on the second day after hatching. They appear to mp up and go under head first with quite a splash. When wall, they remain under twenty to thirty seconds, swimming rd all the time for 20-30 feet. The length of the dive ypends a good deal on their age. The mortality among ee young is very high. If four to six survive till September econsider it a good brood. Out of four nests hatched out _the creek only one brood of five was seen on October 6th, 29. ![PLUMAGE.—At about six weeks old they lose their baby ywn and begin to get feather-quills and a full covering of thers early in September. ‘Although the drake takes no part in brooding, it will be erved that he remains in close vicinity to the female, st and ducklings throughout the breeding-season. (70) BIRDS RINGED IN ICELAND AND RECOVERED IN THE BRITISH ISLANDS. BY H. FP: WITHERBY, Mr. P. SkOVGAARD, whose ringing scheme in Denmark is well known to our readers, has published (Danske Fugle, 1930, pp. 57-73) a list of recoveries of birds ringed in Iceland, This has also appeared in a less detailed form, with notes by Mr. E. M. Nicholson, in Discovery, July, 1930, pp. 220-4, I give here a list of those birds reported from the British Islands taken from Danske Fugle, with a few necessary corrections of mis-spelt place-names and in one or two Cases sight differences of date in cases reported direct to me. These records have the greatest interest to British orni- thologists, and we are thankful that Mr. Skovgaard has at last published them. For some years he has refused to give the ringing details of these birds. Many have been reported to me, and I have been unable to tell the reporter where or when they were ringed. This is a most unfortunate and short-sighted policy, as it is obvious that to induce people to report the recovery of ringed birds one must interest them in the subject. Moreover, it is a distinct handicap to science to leave such records unpublished for three or four years, and it is to be hoped that Mr. Skovgaard will not continue to pursue so misguided a policy. All the birds in the following list were ringed in Iceland in the districts named. No. Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Recovered. WauitE WactaiLt (Motacilla a. alba). 19221 Myrasysla, 16.6.28. Rockall, 5.9.28. GAaDWALL (Anas strepera). V.3539 Husavik, 10.7.27. Ieques (SWESE a), 201K, 77/- V.3723 Husavik, 23,7,28 L. Glore (Westmeath), 12.2.30 (reported as Wigeon). V.3724 Husavik, 23.7-28. Corrandulla, near Headford (Galway), 27.1.29. TEAL (Anas c. crecca). V.4421 Saudarkrok, 24.8.29 Near Stranraer (Wigtown) 3.12.20. K.8032 Husavik, 2.8.28. Northumberland, 14.12.28. A.8029. Husavik, 15.7.28. Laurencetown (Down), 20.8.28. V.2080 WHusavik, 5.7.28. Longfield Flats, L. Foyle (Londonderry), 30.10.28. ‘L. xxIv.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. 71 Vo Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Recovered. ; TEAL (continued.) 4035. Fellsmula, 27.6.28. Cashel (Tipperary), 27.11.29. 030 Husavik, 3.7.28. Ballinasloe (Galway), 10.1.29. 2055 Husavik, 24.6.27 Nr. Ballacroy (Mayo), 20.2.29. WicEON (Anas penelope). 3701 Husavik, 17.6.28. Bay of Firth, Orkney, 15.9.28. 3861 Husavik, 21.7.28 Kirkwall, Orkney, 1.2.30. 93716 Husavik, 6.7.28. Halkirk (Caithness), 28.9.28. 33849 Husavik, 15.7.28. Wick (Caithness), 6.12.28. 829. Husavik, 17.7.27. Loch Eye (Ross.), 2.11.27. 3905 Husavik, 8.7.28. Invergordon (Ross.), 25.12.28. 22019 Husavik, 5.7.28. Elgin (Moray.), 8.10.28. oro «=Husavik, 23.6.26. Loch Tarbert (Argyll), 24.12.26. ‘8069 Husavik, 31.7.27. : eee (Argyll), 16.9.27. $8051 Husavik, 2.7.27. Holy Island (Northumb.), 25.9.29. 3892 Husavik, 30.7.28. Fleetwood (Lancs.), 15.2.29. 2045 Husavik, 18.6.27. Rugby (Warwick.), 8.3.29. 2068 Husavik, 26.6.27. Ipswich (Suffolk), 5.11.28. 33909 Husavik, 8.7.28. Lough Swilly (Donegal), 9.10.28. 33737 Husavik, 25.6.29. Toome (Antrim), 27.11.29. 33718 Husavik, 7.7.28. L. Foyle (Londonderry), 14.12.26. 44773 Husavik, 4.8.29. Rush (Dublin), 19.10.29. 22037. Husavik, 17.6.27. Lady’s Island Lake (Wexford) 27.1 .20, The movements of Wigeon from Iceland are very remark- sle (even more so than our records from England to N.E. 'S.E. Russia, antea, Vol. XXI., pp. 97-8). 'Besides the birds recovered in the British Islands and corded above, Iceland Wigeon have reached S.W. Spain (1); sance (2); Ravenna (Adriatic), (Italy (1); Tula (south of soscow), Russia (1), while no less than four have reached mmerica, viz., Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Massachusetts vid Maryland. PInTAIL (Anas acuta). 33720 Husavik, 23.7.28. Rathangan (Kildare), 8.12.28. 503 Husavik, 17.6.26. L. Ahalia (Galway), 11.12.27. 509 Husavik, 17.6.26. Castletownroche (Cork), LOL. Turtep Duck (Nyroca fuligula). £6802 Laxa, 25.6.27. Northwich(Cheshire),11.8.28,* * This is the bird referred to by Mr. A. W. Boyd (Vol. XXII.. -/143) as having been obtained from a bunch of non-breeding Tufted wacks which frequented Witton Flashes throughout the summer of 228. Although there is no absolute proof that this particular bird as with the bunch all the time, it seems likely that it was so. Mr. myd was only permitted to say that it was 1inged as a young bird | 1927 in “a much higher latitude.” 72 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV No. Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Recovered, Scaup-Duck (Nyroca m. marila).* E.665 Husavik, 1.8.28. Nr. Kildary, Nigg Bay (Ross,) 3.8.29. V.3698 Husavik, 22.7.28. Trewern, Newbridge (Corn wall), mid-Feb., 29. D.1433 Myvatn, 27.6.25. Belfast, 30.10.26. E.511 #Husavik, 22.7.27. Belfast Lough, 23.1.29. V.4028 Laxa, 8.9.28. Tillysburn (Down), 23.2.29. V.3719 Husavik, 5.7.28. Duncormick (Wexford) 10.11.28. NORTHERN GOLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius a. altifyons). X.8075 Laxa, 4.7.28. Tiree (I. Hebrides), 12.42 (found dead, decomposed) G.7432 Reydarfirdi, 15.7.29. Moniaive (Dumfries.), 22.2.30, A.5517. Akureyri, 23.6.29. Wigtown Harbour, 25.11.29, X.3298 Myvatn, 26.7.29. Hornby (Lancs.), 6.1.30. A.3723 Husavik, 4.7.28. King’s Lynn (Norfolk), 3.2.30, A.3126 Husavik, 24.6.29. Cloughmills (Antrim), 2O L220; X.6463 Husavik, 4.7.27. Ballinamore (Leitrim), 22 O27 X.6450 Husavik, 11.7.27. Ballina (Mayo), 1.2.28. +X.3640 Myrasysla, 26.6.28. Ireland, Oct., 29. $X2728 Husavik, 27.6.26. King’s Co., Ireland, 4.11.26. X.6466 Husavik, 4.7.27. Tullaroan (Kilkenny) ,21.10.27, X.2734 Husavik, 24.6.27. Spanish Is., Baltimore (Cork), 30.1.28. X.6871 Husavik, 5.7.29. Carrigaloe (Cork), 6.1.30. F#ROE SNIPE (Capella g. faerocensis). G.5303 Husavik, 2.7.29. Claremorris (Mayo), Ireland, 5. L029. G.3880 Myrasysla, 25.6.28. Ballina (Mayo), Ireland, Feb. 30: GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Lavus marinus). K.6121 Husavik, 27.6.28. N. Uist: (O: Hebrides), 3.2.28 * In Danske Fugle, p. 66, all the records under “‘ Bjergand”’, calle by mistake “ Fuligula cristata’, refer to the Scaup. + Mr. G. R. Humphreys informs me that this ring was found on bird in the Dublin City market. The bird was thought to have com from south-west Ireland, but the actual locality could not be traced. { This bird has already been reported in our pages, Vol. XX, p. 250, but unfortunately the country of ringing was given as Denmark instead of Iceland. BNOIES& STARLING’S UNUSUAL NESTING-SITE. ‘HE accompanying photograph was taken in south Essex on April 26th, 1930. The old post, which is hollow almost hroughout, stands in about three feet of water, and approxt- nately as much of it is above the surface. The Starling s nest vas about a foot down, and one of the birds is shown just prior o entering the hollow. The Starlings had packed the ollow with straw and other material right down to water- vel, and a few straws were protruding from the lower hole. There is no lack of better accommodation in the vicinity, and is strange that they should have chosen such an apparently msuitable site. F. Howarp LANCUM. THE NESTING-PERIOD OF THE STARLING. AM not aware that any of our breeding birds start their esting in any particular locality with greater regularity van the Starling (Sturnus v. vulgaris). During 1930 I kept F 74 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOL, Xxive twelve nests under observation, but I did not note the particular date of their respective layings. The clutches [| was able to examine all numbered four to five eggs. On the evening of May 30th one lot of young were out of the nesting-box they occupied, but unable to fly owing probably to their feathers being caked with the foulness of their nesting-site ; but, even so, they seemed fully young to leave the nest. The following day several broods departed, and other young ones I could hear exercising their wings in their nesting-abodes where space permitted. By June Ist six lots had flown altogether and by the evening of June 2nd all nests were void. Four other nests under my gardener’s observation on his premises flew on the two latter dates. I am inclined to think nearly all the young leave their nests early on in the day. The day following the broods leaving their nest the adults unaccompanied will frequently be seen again at their breeding- places, the young presumably having in the meantime joined up with other parties to form the large gatherings feeding on the larve that plague our woodlands. It is most likely from then that the broods lose their individuality of relationship, and further responsibility from family ties of the old birds ceases. Oftentimes some of the old birds whose broods have departed return and will associate socially with others whose young have not as yet left the nest. Three of the above twelve pairs took on the responsibility of a second brood, and the old birds were carrying into the nests fresh material on the evening of the day following the one on which the first brood left. I have noticed quite an unusual number of these late broods during the present year in various other localities. J. 8; Exviorg HAWFINCHES IN INNER LONDON. On June 17th, 1930, about 8.15 p.m., I heard the characteristic flight-note of the Hawfinch (Coccothraustes c. coccothraustes) over Rotten Row, near the Kensington Gardens end, and had a fair view of two passing over eastward towards the Dell at perhaps 150 ft. They were calling all the time. Starlings passing simultaneously gave a good check on shape and size. Although I have frequently seen Hawfinches about Esher, and sometimes in Richmond Park, I have never met any before in Central London. An exceptionally severe thunderstorm occurred two hours previously. # \. NicHorson. VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 75 WOOD-LARK IN STAFFORDSHIRE. I THINK it quite probable that the Wood-Lark (Lullula a, arborea) nests on certain commons in south-west Staffordshire. as on June 20th, 1929, I saw six birds on a common near Enville, which, from the short tail, distinct, pale, superciliary stripe and paler plumage (compared with the Sky-Lark), I feel sure were this species. They were very tame and allowed me to get within five yards of them as they walked in a proces- sion through clumps of heather, and merely walked a little further away. Before leaving they flew into a tree. I am familiar with the Tree-Pipit and I have seen the Wood-Lark in Richmond Park (Surrey) as well. On July 14th, 1929, I found two singing on another common not far away. I intended going this spring to try and make more certain of its breeding in the locality, but unfortunately I have been unable to do so. F. FINCHER. TREE-CREEPER NESTING CLOSE TO THE GROUND. WHEN staying recently at Cople in Bedfordshire I was shown ‘the nest of a Tree-Creeper (Certhia f. britannica) in a sectional »stump of an elm tree used as a garden ornament. The nest ‘was normally placed, between the bark and the trunk, but ‘was only two feet off the ground, the stump being under a ‘yard high and placed within a few feet of the principal doorway to the house. Tree-Creepers had, I learnt, nested in like situations in other stumps in the garden for the past two years also. Jj. S. ELvio7t. ‘Although it is unusual for the Tree-Creeper to nest so near the ground, it occasionally does so. A nest containing -seven eggs at Mapleton, Derbyshire, on May 25th, 1910, was only g inches from the ground at the foot of a dead beech ttree.—F.C.R.J.] NUTHATCH IN CARDIGANSHIRE. ACCORDING to the Practical Handbook this bird is very rare iin west Wales, so it may be of interest to mention that I saw itwo in a wood near Silian, in the south-eastern corner of ‘Cardiganshire, on August 5th, 1926. F. FINCHER. (GREAT TITMOUSE LAYING A SECOND CLUTCH BEFORE DEPARTURE OF FIRST BROOD. A GREAT TiTMOUSE (Parus m. newtoni) occupied one of a ‘number of nesting-boxes and on May roth, 1930, the nest 76 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. contained nine eggs. On the evening of June 11th the young were almost ready to fly and on June 13th they had left the box. I was surprised, however, to find on that date the nest had been practically rebuilt and contained five fresh eggs, which, owing to their type, left no doubt that they had been produced by the same bird. Assuming that the young left on June 12th, it seems clear that four of the eggs must have been laid while the young were still in the nest, and that three were being covered by them when I made my visit on June 11th. The second clutch did not go beyond five eggs and these hatched on or about June 26th. D. W. MUSSELWHITE. PIED FLYCATCHER EATING WORMS. IN connexion with Mr. A. Astley’s note (antea, p. 52) on a Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa h. hypoleuca) eating an earth- worm, I can state that on various occasions I have seen three male Pied Flycatchers feed their offspring on thin earthworms ~ of two to four inches in length. R. H. Brown. BLACKCAP LAYING TWICE IN SAME NEST. Two instances of a Blackcap (Sylvia a. atricapilla) laying twice in the same nest have come under my _ personal observation this season in Berkshire. On May 8th four eggs were removed from a nest, and on May 20th one egg of a second clutch was laid in the same nest. The bird subsequently sat on a clutch of three eggs and reared her young. Again, on May roth, a clutch of six eggs was removed from a nest, and on May 28th the same nest contained five more .eggs. Both these nests were in the same district and each was built in holly. I think the Blackcap was unusually numerous this year, although it is always a common bird in my district. Three clutches of six came under my own personal observation. EpGar P. CHANCE. BLACKBIRD FEEDING YOUNG ON MINNOWS. THIS spring (1930) a pair of Blackbirds (Turdus m. merula) built a nest in some creepers on a house in Westmorland, in — such a position that it was in full view from the upstairs drawing-room windows. The garden of the house extends down to a river about 75 yards from the house. Towards the end of May, when the young were about half-grown, it was VOL. XXIV] NOTES. 77 first noticed that the cock was feeding them on minnows. He was repeatedly seen to bring up to three or four at a time, and on one occasion was distinctly seen to rub them in the dry soil of a flower-bed before taking them up to the nest, presumably to render them more gritty. It did not prove possible to ascertain how he obtained the minnows, but in May and June they visit the shallows in swarms, and the river was exceptionally low owing to very dry weather, so no doubt he must have been able to snatch them from the water in some way. A. ASTLEY. EARLY LAYING OF CUCKOO IN CHAFFINCH’S NEST. On April 30th, 1930, a nest of a Chaffinch (Fringilla c. celebs) at Plaistow, near Billingshurst, Sussex, contained four eggs. On May tst there were only two eggs and on this date the Cuckoos (Cuculus c. canorus) were seen near the nest. On May 3rd there was a Cuckoo’s egg in the nest and one egg of the Chaffinch was buried under the nest-lining, the remaining egg having vanished. The nest was very much damaged and flattened. The date for the Cuckoo’s egg seems early. C. R. VERNER. (There are several instances on record in which Cuckoos’ eggs have been found in April, some of which are undoubtedly genuine. See B.B., Vol. VI., p. 90; Zool., 1904, p. 347, etc. —F.C.R.J.] CUCKOO RINGED IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AND RECOVERED IN FRENCH CAMAROONS. I HAVE received word from the Chef de la subdivision de Nanga Eboko, French Camaroons, that Pére Patenode, Superieur de la Mission Catholique of that district, has requested the Administration des Colonies to forward a ring to me with the following report. On January 30th, 1930, at the village of Lembe, Nanga Eboko, a native shot with an arrow a bird as it was alighting on the ground. He was astonished to find that the bird bore a ring and brought this to the missionary. This ring was No. Z.7928, and was placed on a young Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) in a nest of a Pied Wagtail (Motacilla a. yarrellit) at Eton on June 23rd, 1928, by Mr. A. Mayall. This is the first ringed Cuckoo reported from Africa and ‘the record has very considerable interest. We have had 78 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV only two previous records of Cuckoos from abroad and both of these appeared to be taking a much more easterly route than is usual with other summer migrants to this country. One was reported from Muhlhausen, Germany (approximately 10° 30’ E.),on August 2nd, 1925, having been ringed in a Meadow-Pipit’s nest in Ayrshire on July 7th, 1925. The other was reported from Reggio, Emilia, Italy, almost due south of the German record, on August 2Ist, 1922, having been ringed also in a Meadow-Pipit’s nest in Renfrewshire on July gth, rg2t. The present bird, although found in west Africa, was far to the east of Greenwich and a little to the east of the other two birds, the position being approximately 12° 10’ E. Long. and 4° 25’ N. Lat. Although no conclusion of any kind can be based on so few records, these recoveries are interesting as they seem to indicate that the Cuckoo may take a more easterly route to the south than other summer migrants to Great Britain. Mr. Mayall, who has ringed so many birds for so many years, fully deserves the satisfaction of having so interesting a return for his labours, and we are very grateful to Pére Patenode and the French colonial officials for having taken so much trouble to report the case. H. F. WITHERBY. INCUBATION-PERIOD OF SHORT-EARED OWL. A NEST of Short-eared Owl (Asto f. flammeus) at Hickling, Norfolk, had two eggs when I found it, May rath, 1930. I have found many nests of this species during the past thirty years, and all the previous ones had the opening towards the east, but this one faced the north. Also the female flew off the nest about 20 yards to the male which had brought food. Generally the cock takes the food to the nest. In the Practical Handbook it is stated that the incubation- period has not been ascertained and I do not find that it has been since recorded in British Birds, and the few following notes may be of some help in arriving at the incubation- period. May 12th. Nest found. 2 eggs, very fresh-looking. ogc Ses PS adoyan guar ,, 8th 5 » June 7th. The first young one was hatched. gth. Three young were out, and the fifth on June 11th. 9 VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 79 On one visit to the nest there were nine short-tailed field- mice at the nest, which Mr. W. E. Higham included in his film of this bird. The young of this species radiate out from the nest to all points of the compass, sometimes 100 yards from the nest. The last young one had left the nest on June 26th and was found 10 yards away. J. VINCENT. ‘As the eggs were laid at two days intervals and the young hatched at one day intervals, it is probable that steady incubation began when about half the eggs had been laid. If we take the period from the last egg in this case at twenty- four days, it is rather shorter than one would have expected, when compared with the evidence in the case of the Long- eared Owl.—F. C. R. JOURDAIN.] DIET OF YOUNG BUZZARD. A YOUNG Buzzard (Buteo buteo) was captured on July 7th, 1929, and tied up in a wood in Pembrokeshire. It was fed by the parent birds, who visited it each day, and the following record was taken of its daily meals. July 7th. 1 rabbit, 1 mole, 1 mouse, 2 Pheasants, * 8th. 1 rabbit, 1 Moorhen, 1 chicken. be oth. 1 rabbit, 1 Moorhen, 1 mole. , loth. 4 rabbits, 1 mole. » Iith. 2 rabbits, 1 mole, 1 Blackbird. » 2th. 3 rabbits, 2 moles, 1 Pheasant. 4 ©gth: 3 rabbits, r mole. », qth. 2 rabbits, 1 mouse, 1 weasel. » 5th. 4 rabbits, 1 mole. ,, 16th. 2 rabbits, 1 Pheasant. » 7th. 2 rabbits, 2 moles. ,» 18th. 2 rabbits, 2 moles, 1 Pheasant. 19th. 2 rabbits, 1 mole, 1 Pheasant. ,, 20th. 2 rabbits, 1 mole, 1 mouse. 5 21St. 3 rabbits. ,, 22nd. 1 rabbit, & moles. ,» 23rd. 1 rabbit. 1 mole. 5, 24th, 1 rabbit. » 25th. 2 rabbits, 1 mole. The parent bird came each day until the 25th, but was bringing less food, so the young one was released. GLADYS SEYMOUR ALLEN. INCUBATION-PERIOD OF MARSH-HARRIER. A NEST of a Marsh-Harrier (Circus @. e@ruginosus), to which I had watched the birds carrying material, was visited by me for the first time on May roth, 1930, and contained one egg. 80 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. On the 14th there were two eggs and on the roth five eggs. The nest was not visited again until May 24th, when it contained six eggs, a record clutch here for this species. Nest of Marsh-Harrier with six egys, Hickling, Norfolk, May, 1930. (Photographed by Mrs. S. A. Wilson.) On June 12th, with Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Boyd, I visited the nest and we saw the first young one just hatched. Reckoning that the bird incubates as soon as the first egg is laid (which I have ascertained by previous observation) the incubation-period in this case is thirty-three days. On June 14th there were two young, on the 17th four, and on the roth a fifth young one which only lived a few days. On July 18th the first young one took its first flight for about forty yards from the nest. The Practical Handbook gives the incubation-period of this species as “ over five weeks.”’ J. VINCENT: (There is one previous record of a clutch of six eggs of this species from Norfolk. From the fact that two young are ‘VOL. XXIV.]| NOTES, 81 usually hatched first on the same day, it would appear that incubation begins with the second egg in most cases, but in this instance it is clear that it began with the first egg laid. See H. Weiss on this subject.—F. C. R. JOURDAIN.| CLUTCH OF TEN EGGS OF MONTAGU’S HARRIER. At Hickling, Norfolk, a pair of Montagu’s Harriers (Circus pygargus) arrived on April 23rd, 1930, and had two eggs when I looked at the nest on May 11th, 1930. On the 14th there were three eggs, 17th 4 eggs, 19th five eggs, 22nd seven eggs, Nest of Montagu Harner with ten eggs, Hickling, Norfolk, May, 19309. (Photographed by Col. R. Meinertzhagen.) 24th eight eggs and the same on the 26th, on the 27th there were nine eggs and on the 30th ten. I feel certain this remarkable clutch of eggs was the product of one bird, both on account of the intervals of laying and also because the female would not tolerate another female 82 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXtv. near the nest, nor would the cock if the female was away eating the food he had brought, as he nearly always sees her back to the nest and guards it. I was very anxious to watch the result of hatching and rearing of young at this nest, but unfortunately it was robbed by someone off a yacht on the evening of June 2nd, or early on the 3rd. I can assure the culprit that he was very fortunate in escaping, as he would never have forgotten the penalty which we should have inflicted upon him. It is too much to expect a person of this mentality ever to understand that by taking this clutch he has done an unscientific act, but I feel sure that should this clutch ever be seen by egg-collectors who have any regard for science that they will impress this point upon the person concerned. There is another aspect of the case: since Ig10 we have been very fairly treated at Hickling by egg collectors, and I appreciate their attitude to us and to the rare birds we are doing our best to foster and bring back to a more secure position as breeding-species. I feel it is ‘““up to” egg collectors to convince defaulters that an act of this kind is inexcusable from all points of view other than the cult of mere acquisition. J. VINCENT. BREEDING OF THE GARGANEY AND TUFTED DUCK IN DORSET. Mr. A. Brinn informs me that since the establishment of the Sanctuary at Weymouth in 1928 there has been a decided increase in the number of breeding ducks in the neighbour- hood. The nesting of the Garganey (Anas querquedula) near Lodmoor in June, 1929, was recorded in Brit. Birds, Vol.. XXIII., p. 99, and another nest of this species with eight eggs, evidently much incubated, was discovered by Mr. Blinn in the same district on June 10th, 1930. The evidence of the breeding of the Tufted Duck (Nyroca fuligula) in Dorset has hitherto been somewhat unsatisfactory. Newton stated that it bred in Dorset in 1876, but gave no details, and the Rev. F. L. Blathwayt was shown down from a nest with twelve eggs in 1926 which probably belonged to this species. There is little doubt that Tufted Duck have bred either in the Sanctuary or close at hand for two or three seasons past, and Mr. Blinn flushed a duck from a nest with seven or eight young and two addled eggs in the neighbourhood on June 6th, 1930. A sample of the down and feathers from this nest is quite typical. FE. C. R. JOURDAIN: \VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 83 BRENT GOOSE IN CO. DOWN IN MID-JUNE. ‘WHEN out sailing in Strangford Lough on June 14th, 1930, ‘we observed standing on a rock on the point of one of the ‘islands a Brent Goose (Bernicla brenta). We landed, and I walked up to within 30 yards of it, when it got up and ‘flew in a perfectly normal way to another island about 500 yards away. I made a very close observation and there ‘was no evidence whatever of the bird being either lame or ‘maimed in any way. HAMILTON ARMSTRONG, [For two similar records, see B.B., Vol. XXI., p. 65; Vol. XXII., p. 91.—Eps.] WOOD-SANDPIPER ON LUNDY ISLAND. On June 8th, 1930, we saw a Wood-Sandpiper (Tvinga glareola) on Lundy Island. The bird was first put up by T.H.H. at 6.30 a.m. in the field behind the church, where it remained all day, haunting two small ponds and returning to them quickly when disturbed. Owing to the regularity of its behaviour, one of us was able to hide under a wall while _ the other put the bird up, and, after a short flight, it alighted about seven yards away. It was observed through a good glass, and a most detailed description was made of it The pale grey underside of the wing in flight distinguishes it at once from the Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus). The call- note we rendered “ tii-tii’’, or “ ti-tii-tii’”’, a piping note sometimes repeated five or six times in one key. At 10.01 p.m. B.S.T., when we were indoors, we heard the bird pipe for the last time, presumably as it was leaving, as it was not there in the morning. T. H. HARRISSON. , V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDs. WOOD-SANDPIPER IN CUMBERLAND. On April 29th, 1930, at a pond in Workington, I watched a Wood-Sandpiper (7vinga glareola) for over an hour. It was very busily engaged searching for food, associating all the while with a Redshank, in comparison with which it was obviously smaller and much more slender in proportion, as well as being more active. The wings were frequently raised tip to tip, showing the light colour underneath. The legs were very light yellowish-green. M. McKERROW. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT IN KENT. On June 7th and 8th, 1930, I saw a Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) on the Leysdown Marshes, Sheppey. The 84 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOL. xxiv. bird, which was in immature plumage, was not at all shy and I was able to watch it for a considerable time on both occasions. On June gth it had disappeared. E. L. Kine, RARE Brrps From Fair Iste.—The following scarce visitors to Fair Isle, Shetlands, are recorded in recent issues of the Scottish Naturalist for 1930. ROSE-COLOURED STARLING (Pastor yvoseus)—A young male on November 15th, 1929 (J. Wilson, p. 8). SCARLET GROSBEAK (Carpodacus e. erythrinus).—Three were seen on January 11th, 1930, associating with Sparrows, and at least one was seen subsequently. They are thought to have wintered on the island (G. Stout, p. 60). SHORT-TOED LARK (Calandrella b. brachydactyla)—A female was obtained on May roth, 1930, and has been identified as of this form at the Royal Scottish Museum (J. Wilson, p. 94). WHiTE’s TurRusH (Turdus d. auveus).—An adult male was obtained on October rgth, 1929, and is now in the Royal Scottish Museum. This is only the third recorded occurrence in Scotland (G. Stout, p. 8). WESTERN DESERT-WHEATEAR (Cinanthe d. homochroa)—A male was obtained on October 26th and its identification as of this race was confirmed by Dr. Hartert. It is remarkable that a year before, a Desert-Wheatear of the typical race was obtained on the island (see B.B., antea, p. 22). Two other Desert-Wheatears have been obtained - in Scotland, but these have not been critically examined (J. Wilson, p. 8). WHITE StTorK (Ciconia c. ciconia).—One arrived on the island on April 6th (G. Stout, p. 60). MAGPIE AND HERONS NESTING IN SAME TREE.—With reference to Mr. W. D. Shaw’s note (Vol. XXIII., p. 66) Mr. N. T. Walford writes that the Magpie (Pica p. pica) and the Heron (Ardea c. cinerea) have again nested in the same tree in Savernake Forest; the two nests are about ten feet apart and both birds reared their young. He also mentions a second instance where the Magpie built in the same tree as two pairs of Herons. WHITE WaAGTAIL IN STAFFORDSHIRE.—Mr. F. Fincher writes that he saw one Motacilla a. alba, and he thinks one or two more, amongst a flock of M. a. yarrellit on Walsall Sewage Farm on May Ist, 1930. The bird’s back was pure grey and the flanks were quite light, contrasting strongly with the Pied Wagtails. Cuckoo’s EGG IN BLACKBIRD’s NEst.—Mr. C. W. Colthrup writes that in May, 1929, he found an egg of a Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) together with one egg of the fosterer in the nest of a Blackbird (Turdus m. merula) in east Surrey. . VOL. XXIV. ] NOTES. 85 LARGE CLUTCH OF KESTREL’s EGcs.—Mr. C. W. Colthrup ynforms us that he found the nest of a Kestrel (Falco t. tinnun- culus) in a hole in a cliff in east Kent in May, 1929. It contained a clutch of eight eggs. Clutches of more than six iin the case of this species are unusual, and eight eggs have conly been recorded about four or five times, while there is ‘one instance of nine on record. EscAPED BUFF-BACKED HERONS IN SURREY AND DEVON- SSHIRE.—The Rev. F. C. Butters has sent us a detailed account of a Buff-backed Heron which has been observed in south ‘Devonshire since June 16th, 1930. Mr. Butters has watched ‘the bird most carefully and has given very good evidence to ‘prove its identification, which has been confirmed by Mr. \W. Walmesley White and others. Mr. Butters described the ‘bird as wary and not as behaving like an escape from captivity. This, however, it would seem certainly to be, since Mr. Alfred |Ezra states that he liberated five at Foxwarren Park, Cobham, ‘Surrey, in April, and has lost two of them (Times, July 24th, 1930). One was reported in May from Godalming as having ‘died of starvation (Field, June 7th, 1930, p. 851), and Mr. !Ezra has no doubt that the bird observed by Mr. Butters, ‘whose description of the bird Mr. Ezra has read, is the other. These birds were of the Indian race, Ardeola ibis coromanda, which is very nearly allied to the European bird. No doubt there is some personal gratification in liberating fully winged captive birds, but when these are of species likely to occur naturally in the country in which they are let loose, the result is most confusing to ornithologists. Owing to this growing habit of aviculturists, it has become impossible to accept occurrences of many species as those of genuine wild birds, and our knowledge of the distribution of such birds is thus severely handicapped.—EbDs. SHELD-Duck NESTING IN GUN-EMPLACEMENT IN KENT.— Mr. E. L. King writes that on June 11th, 1930, he found the nest of a Sheld-Duck (TYadorna tadorna) containing five eggs, possibly more, in the opening of a gun-emplacement built into the sea-wall in the Isle of Sheppey. When disturbed the bird flew out of the door, but normally she entered and left the nest by tunnelling through the thistles and long grass on the sea-wall. 86 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. xxty, REVIEW. This Bondage. By Commander Bernard Acworth, D.s.0., Rw, pp. 229+ xxiv. 7s. 6d. net. (John Murray, London, 1929.) “‘In this book the author has undertaken to prove that the ‘ Freedom of the Air’ is in reality a terrible and iron bondage’’, He further explains its scope in the sub-title: “‘A Study of the ‘ Migration’ of Birds, Insects and Aircraft, with some Keflections on ‘ Evolution’ and Relativity’. Here, however, notice must be restricted to the sections directly concerned with birds. The author bases his main argument upon three statements, two of which everyone will admit to be true, and the third of which he himself admits to be pure assumption. He begins with the well- known fact that a bird or any other flying thing is in effect part of the body of air in which it flies, that its own movement is relative to that body, and that it is therefore incapable, once it has left the ground, of feeling either the strength or the direction of any wind there may be: it feels, indeed, only the head-on draught caused by its own passage through an apparent calm. This fact is a common- place to everyone with the most elementary knowledge of physics, has been brought home by analogy to anyone who has ever rowed or swum in a current, and is a familiar factor in aviation. Yet the author believes that it is unknown to ornithologists, whom he roundly abuses on that account. Although he can quote from writers on birds who seem not to have thought clearly on the point, one can nevertheless assure him that the “law’’, with its implications of “air speed ’’ and “ ground speed’’, is correctly stated in serious modern works dealing with aspects of ornithology to which it is relevant, and that if other authors have taken so obvious a truism for granted they need not therefore be considered as necessarily ignorant; one can also assure him that ornithologists have for long treated as a joke the old statement that a bird dislikes flying with a tail-wind because the air gets under its feathers ! There are two qualifying circumstances on which the author perhaps lays too little stress. Different parts of a current of air may move at different rates, and on passing from one to another, as also in the act of leaving the ground, the bird experiences change of inertia and may thus momentarily feel the wind in some degree. Again, the bird can under most conditions see what progress it is making in relation to the ground. The author’s second “‘law”’ is scarcely less a truism. It is that air-borne bodies heading continuously for a fixed point through an air-current must proceed on a curve and must arrive at the destination exactly head to wind. This is how a novice proceeds in rowing across a river, whereas the experienced boatman points the bow towards a higher point and actually crosses in a straight line; the navigator can similarly allow for currents in setting a course for a distant goal, whereas the unskilled sailor who knows only the direction from his starting point will be carried wide of the mark. From these undisputed physical facts, the author proceeds to the assumption that birds flying across the sea do in fact head continuously for a fixed, although unseen, point. This, he supposes, is made possible by the possession of an inherent “‘ sense of direction’’, which in this case takes the form of an “ inherent power to sense a given WOL. XXIV.] REVIEW. 87 spot in space”. This seems a remarkable assumption on the part of one who professes to despise all biological explanations, but, be ‘that as it may, Commander Acworth hangs upon its validity “ the whole concept of this book”’. He indeed claims, at a later stage, to thave proved its truth, but his arguments are purely theoretical, and vin the absence of any real evidence the idea cannot be accepted as more than an interesting speculation. The chapter in which the author develops the practical side of the theory, giving examples of ‘different flight-curves, is probably the most useful part of his book ; tthe topic has certainly been neglected by ornithologists, who, while saware of the physical “law”, have not usually worked upon the assumption added to it by Commander Acworth. The author notwithstanding, it is a matter of observation that migrants do at least sometimes fly by recognition—whatever that ‘may mean psychologically—changing direction to follow, say, some ‘bend of coastline. It is true that, in a lateral wind, flying by recogni- *tion should theoretically be on a series of curves, but the degree of -eurvature would depend upon the intervals between landmarks and might often be negligible. In those cases where flight by recognition ‘seems to be impossible, there is another alternative to Commander _Acworth’s view. The unseen goal is not necessarily a point, as he “supposes, but may be a broad target, such as the whole seaboard of ‘a country. Assuming that a bird can set out on a sea-crossing in ‘the general direction of this target, and that it can keep flying straight ‘ahead, a certain amount of lateral drift due to wind need not matter ; ‘an excessive amount of drift would, on the other hand, take the birds ‘wide of their target and might lead to total disaster, accidents which -are, indeed, known to occur. This theory is also purely speculative, but it is provisionally to be preferred because it involves a less difficult ‘initial assumption. Writers not so dogmatic as Commander Acworth will at least be content to regard the matter as unsettled until definite ‘evidence is available. Having first explained migration, the author then proceeds to -explain it away. He is, in fact, unwilling to admit that there is any such thing, unless in extreme cases like that of the Swallow. In the case of the hardier birds which perform shorter journeys, he thinks there is merely seasonal “ drift ’’ due to the prevailing winds. Space here does not permit of any fuller statement or examination of this further theory; suffice it to say that ornithologists will readily recognise that it will not fit the salient facts, many of which the author either mistakes or wholly ignores. Birds simply do not behave as his theory demands they must. For further details, reference must be made to the book itself, but the reader will not find any detached or balanced discussion of the subject. The whole is indeed an elaborate piece of special pleading on behalf of the author’s peculiar views. It is in places amusingly vehement, and the author makes no secret of his rather numerous prejudices against ideas and people. He disbelieves, inter alia, in evolution, cosmic relativity, vitamins, and the prospects of aviation —in fact, one is tempted to conclude, in anything which goes beyond the biology of the Old Testament, the physics of Newton, or navigation on the surface of the sea! His incursion into ornithology may perhaps sti nulate fresh attention to the influence of wind on migration, as to which there is still much to be learnt, but it cannot be said to make any positive contribution to definite knowledge of the subject. A.L.T. 88 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XxIVv LETTERS. NESTLING WILLOW-WARBLERS HISSING. To the Editors of BritisH Birps. Sirs,—With regard to Miss B. A. Carter’s note (antea, Vol. XXIII, p. 161) ve nestling Willow-Warblers (Phylloscopus tr. trochilus) hissing, I am certain that in previous years I have had occasional broods hiss at me when | disturbed them, but apparently I have made no note of the fact. I therefore paid particular attention to the subject this year and note that two broods hissed at me when I placed my handq near the nests. Both broods were a week or moreold. R. H. Brown “NIGHT SOARING OF SWIPTS;” To the Editors of BritisH BiRDs. Strs,—I have read with interest Mr. P. W. Masson’s article on this subject (antea, pp. 48-50). Mr. Masson is of the opinion that if Swifts do come down from their late evening soaring they do not re-enter their nests, as to do so in the dark would be dangerous, if not fatal. My observations prove that Swifts, or at any rate some of them, do come down at nightfall, and that they enter their nests sometimes quite in the dark. Several pairs of Swifts regularly build within my house roof, and it has been a matter of great interest on various occasions to find odd birds trying to get to their nests in the deep dusk—and all the deeper because theirs is the east side of the house. A sudden swish of wings overhead, and a “ flap’’ as the bird strikes the eaves, is often the only intimation of the arrival. Then generally we see the dusky Swift fly round again, as it often makes several attempts before hitting upon the exact spot desired. (This, indeed, also happens by day.) No sound is uttered by these late-comers, yet once inside their home soft wheezy notes are usually heard. Some- times the darkness is such that it is difficult to see the arriving bird at all. It seems pretty evident that the Swift can see fairly well in the dark. James J. Casu. LyMmM, CHESHIRE. July 13th, 1930. CUCKOO WITH SAME NOTE RETURNING FOR TWELVE YEARS. To the Editors of BriTisH BrrDs. Sirs,—The following may be worth recording, as throwing a possible light on the age to which a Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) may live. In 1917 a Cuckoo came to this valley with a distinctive and some- what irritating note. From the day of arrival it called ‘‘ cuck-oo-00,”” not in the least like the stammering ‘‘ cuck-cuck-o0’’ so common later in the season. Every year since a bird with the same call has returned until this year (1930) when it has not been heard. Unless the call was transmitted to offspring it would seem to have been made all these twelve years by the same bird. H. H. GORDON CLARK. MICKLEHAM, SURREY. [For similar records, see Met wt. P. 23.—EDs.] ‘ P : - Al lfaiee "EO . ; AA 16 That Book you want! Foyles hold a considerable stock of Second-hand Books on Ornithology, and can supply any Scientific Book that is in print and most of those that are out of print. They have a Special Department for this class of literature under a Manager who has experience and knowledge of the Natural Sciences. Call and consult him, or write asking for Catalogue 637. Books sent on approval. Special Offer of a set of “BRITISH BIRDS,” Vols. 1 to 20, for the years 1907 to 1927, with index to first 12 Vols. 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ROSENBERG 57, Haverstock Hill, London, N.W.3, England Telephone: Primrose Hill 0660 Price List of Birds of the World, including over 4,000 — species, post free to readers of “‘ British Birds.” Every description of collecting apparatus kept in stock. Also available: Price Lists of Eggs, Mammals, Reptiles, Lepidoptera, and books on Natural History. DRITDSABINDS WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, I917, “ THE ZOOLOGIST.”’ EDITED BY H. F.WITHERBY, M.BiE.;F.Z.S.,M.B.O.U.,H.F.A.O.U. ASSISTED. BY Rev. F.C. R. JQuRpATN, M/A, M.B.0.U., H.F.A.O.U., F.Z.S., AND NorMAN F, \BICEMURST;-O.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. ~ 7F = CoNnTENTS oF NUMBER 4, Vol. XXIV., SEPTEMBER I, 1930. ee PAGE Notes on Alberta Waders included on the British List (Part VIII.). By William Rowan, D.Sc., F.Z.S., M.A., M.B.O.U. 90 Notes on Montagu’s Harrier. By Captain Geoffrey Corlett, R.N. (Retired) ... “ee ads aus ‘its ste Ee eh 94 Some Essex Bird Notes (1929-1930). By James W. Campbell 97 Notes on Cuckoos in 1930. By Edgar P. Chance yee ae 100 Notes :— Jays Killing Fully-grown Young of Song-Thrush (T. R. Tallis) 103 Hawfinch Building Three Nests in a Season (C. L. Collenette) 103 Chaffinches Caught in See (Cc. Oakes and E. Battersby) ... : ve ma be 103 House-Sparrows E jecting “Martins (RR. M. Garnett) ... wie 104 Fly-catching Action of Sky-Lark (Rev. W. Serle) ... a 105 Large Brood of Pied Wagtails (A. W. Boyd) ar Las 105 Nuthatch in Pembrokeshire (B. Lloyd) sia ~ = Sue 106 Adult Willow-Warbler Killed by Red-backed Shrike (Miss EF, Staunton) saa ia oF =e isi er 106 Ring-Ouzel in Kent in July (Rev. J. R. Hale) ne te 106 Black Redstarts in Pembrokeshire (R. M. Lockley) 106 Mortality amongst Swifts caused a Cold (J. B. Watson) 107 Young Kestrels Pee Smallest of Brood (T. R. Tallis) ... 107 Gadwall in Kent (N. F. Ticehurst) ... ee +e —- 108 Breeding Status of the Garganey in Fssex (P. M. Meeson) 108 Ringed Plover’s Double Brood (T. G. Powell) = same 109 Melanic Nestlings of Lapwing (A. W. Boyd) on avn 10g Short Notes :— The Rook in Lanarkshire, 1922-29. Immigration of Crossbills. Birds in Skye. Continental Blue Tit in Shetland. Roller in Mull. Hobby in Sutherland. Pink-footed Goose in Shetland. Breeding of Goosander in Selkirkshire..,, iss 109 Letters :— Night Soaring of Swifts (H. B. Booth) ae sa sss 111 Return of Cuckoo to same Sage in Successive Seasons (E. P. Chance) eth on “2 re 11 Delayed Laying of Lapwing (E. Pp Chance)... pe om TI? G 92 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XxIV, The apparent failure of the birds to go to ground periodi- cally after incubation has commenced and so to be located by steady watching is as baffling as it ever was. While collecting invertebrates on the jackpine ridges we had some opportunity of keeping a fairly close watch over the breeding areas of the shank, sometimes for hours on end. We never saw a bird go either up or down. It struck me that first thing in the morning the sitting birds must go off to feed or : . 4, ms > ‘fy ee ; a Mey 7 Os > ~ : Nest and eggs of Greater Yellowshank, Alberta, May 26th, 1930. (Photographed by W. Rowan.) their mates would have to go down to feed them. Accor- dingly, I made my way into the centre of a large breeding area at daybreak, soon after 2 a.m., and ensconced myself in blankets (there was a heavy frost) on the top of a com- manding hill. By 6.30 I was so cold that I made my way to camp and breakfast. Mists, rising from the lakes and muskegs, were then making vision through the binoculars almost impossible. During this time I never saw a single Greater Yellowshank either leave the grounds or arrive on VOL. XxIv.| NOTES ON ALBERTA WADERS. 93 them, although several birds passed singing and switchbacking overhead. On the night of May 2oth, to the accompaniment of a terrific gale, we had a fall of wet snow measuring 13 inches on the level. It covered everything for two days before it disappeared. On both days tramps were taken over the most likely areas in the hopes that birds leaving their nests (assuming that they had not deserted during the night of the blizzard) would leave unmistakeable traces on the universal pall of snow. We met with complete failure, although holes in the snow would have been readily seen at many yards. The obvious (but entirely erroneous) conclusion was that the birds had deserted, yet on the 29th the first young had been safely conducted into the muskeg and thereafter the number of families increased steadily. When we left on June 4th the whole locality seemed to be swarming with them ! (94) NOTES ON MONTAGU’S HARRIER. Les CaPpTAIN GEOFFREY CORLETT, R.n. (Retired). In 1928 I was lucky enough to have two nests of Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) under observation, the first from the laying of the eggs until the young were able to fly, the second from the time the two young it contained were some three weeks old. In 1929 I found a nest with two eggs on May 17th, in almost the identical spot as the first nest of 1928. This pair completed the clutch to four eggs and successfully hatched out and reared the young. I was able to observe this nest almost daily for several hours for nearly three months. All these three nests were in the same marsh of some three acres in extent, rushes and sedge and very quiet, but with cattle and horses feeding round ; the nest was only a depres- sion of sedge, with rushes some two feet high all round and screened by some low willow rushes. The difference in plumage in both the adult birds and the young is very noticeable and makes a most interesting study, especially the dark brown or melanistic type, also the variations in the coloration of the irides. Some are dark brown and others bright yellow. Also, there does not seem to be any definite record of the adolescent period. To give further details, the first pair of birds I had under observation in 1928 were of the ordinary adult plumage as shown in Thorburn’s British Birds. Male: Dove-blue with black wing-tips. Female: Ruddy-brown with very con- spicuous white bar across tail. Both presumably adult birds in full breeding plumage. The first egg was laid on May 15th and the full clutch of five eggs by May 25th. The hen bird sat very close from the beginning and was only flushed off her eggs at a distance of a few feet. The first chick was hatched out on June roth, three chicks by June 15th, the fourth egg was infertile, and the fifth chick was hatched on June 2oth. By July 6th all four youngsters were out of the nest and some feet away in the rushes. All four were of a buff (chestnut) colouring, the youngest still in white down, and all had yellow irides. During June a third bird had been frequently seen, a very small, dark bird, and we were under the impression that this VOL. XXIV.] MONTAGU’S HARRIER. 95 was a first-year male. I suspected a second nest, but pro- tracted search failed to verify this, until on July 30th, when the rushes were being cut, a second nest was exposed some three hundred yards from the first. The two young birds in this nest (about three weeks old) were of the melanistic type—very dark blue-black, with brown eyes, totally different from the four chocolate young with yellow eyes in the first nest. The female was flushed off the nest and proved to be a large brown bird, with no white bar on the tail and no white on her whatsoever. Presumably the small brown bird previously mentioned was the male parent of these two melanistic chicks. Towards the end of April, 1929, we were on the look-out for their return and were lucky enough to see three Harriers over the marsh, one an adult blue male and two dark brown birds (no white bar). On May 1st we watched these three birds for some time, but could not decide whether the two brown birds were female or immature males. On May 17th we observed the blue male and a brown female quartering the marsh and soon discovered the nest, practically in the same spot as the last year’s first nest. It contained two eggs and the full clutch of four was laid by May 2ist. All hatched out, the first on June 12th and the last on the rgth. The parent birds of this nest were a blue adult male and the hen bird was a very small dark brown bird with no white at all, and I am convinced a different bird to that of 1928, but the male was presumably the same and had brought his new mate back to his previous year’s nesting-site. The four chicks grew rapidly, but it was obvious from the first that the second chick hatched was of the melanistic type. The first chick was a buff bird, the second dark brown, while the third and fourth were similar to the first. The first, third and fourth were all covered with white down, the second was covered with a grey-blue down, like a fowl after it has been dusting in ashes. All four had dark brown irides, whilst the hen parent (the small, dark brown one) had yellow irides. At the end of June, 1929, I had the opportunity of visiting another county and was shown two nests of Montagu’s Harrier. Each nest contained two chicks of the usual light buff variety, but with dark irides. In both cases the parent birds were in the usual full adult plumage—the male blue and the female brown-chestnut with a very conspicuous white bar. AlJ the youngsters had the very conspicuous white bar on the tail at four weeks old. 96 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. In British Birds of October, 1929, Mr. Harrison states that at one nest he had under observation the female was an immature bird with brown eyes. It would be interesting to know what was the coloration of both the parent birds and young in the three nests under observation in Norfolk. Re the female carrying sedge to the nest, as reported by Mr. Harrison, I also observed the female do this, and dis- covered that the sedge was brought to build a new nest alongside the first, as soon as the youngsters were too big for the original. This year (1930) we were again fortunate enough to have two nests under observation. One pair, the male blue, the female very small and dark brown, nested in a small marsh 400 yards over the road from the 1928-29 marsh. I feel convinced these were the same pair of birds as 1929. Two eggs were laid by May 11th and a third later, but only one hatched out, one being taken by a boy and one infertile. The young chick, hatched on June 11th, rapidly showed all signs of its melanistic hen parent, and at four weeks old the primaries and tail-feathers were showing black, but a buff patch was showing on the back of the neck. A second nest was located on May 30th, a mile down the valley and river from the first nest, and contained four eggs ; the parent birds were observed to be a blue male and a light brown female, with a most conspicuous white bar across the rump. All four eggs hatched out successfully, and on June 12th the nest contained two chicks and two eggs. On the 14th the third chick was out and the fourth egg chipping. On the 18th the fourth chick was out, and all four were well- developed and of the normal buff-colour. At four weeks old the melanistic chick in No. 1 nest had dark irides as black as the pupils, whilst the first chick in No. 2 nest, of the same age and normal coloration, was develop- ing very much lighter irides, almost yellow, as compared with the darker pupil. By July 21st all the chicks were strong on the wing and could fly 150 yards round the marsh. Both nests were of small structure when the eggs were first laid, but were considerably built up at frequent intervals. Observations on five nests in three years prove that the female incubates from the first egg laid, the eggs are laid at an interval of thirty-six hours to three days, and each egg hatches out on the twenty-eighth or twenty-ninth day of incubation, and the average clutch is four eggs. (97 ) SOME ESSEX BIRD NOTES (1929-1930). BY JAMES W. CAMPBELL. Tue following are short notes on the status of some uncommon birds in Essex. Although two books dealing with the bird- life of the county have been published, the status of many species is still somewhat obscure. On looking through Mr. Glegg’s History of the Birds of Essex, the lack of recent records in the case of several species is very noticeable, especially as regards those that frequent the coast, An annual report on the bird-life of the county would be of great interest. TwitE (Carduelis f. flavirostris)—There seem to be no recent records of the occurrence of the Twite in Essex. Mr. Glegg remarks that all occurrences should be recorded. On October Ist, 1928, a single Twite was seen in a flock of Linnets which rose from a stubble field near Great Yeldham. On November 23rd, 1929, a pair passed close to me on a marsh near Tolleshunt D’Arcy, and sought shelter in the reeds on the approach of a thunder-storm. I know the species well in its breeding-haunts. LONG-EARED OwL (Asio o. otus).—As Mr. Glegg found that this Owl was scarce in Essex during the breeding-season, the following record of a regular nesting-haunt may be of interest. There is a fir plantation in the Tiptree district where two or three pairs nest annually. The eggs, as a rule, are placed in old Magpies’ nests. The Owls are not molested, and when shooting through the wood in winter it is quite usual to see seven or eight on the wing at once. During winter they roost together in two or three trees which are used for this purpose every year. Mr. J. Pettitt tells me that a pair or two nest in a small fir plantation near Great Horkesley. MARSH-HARRIER (Cirvcus @. @ruginosus)—On December 6th, 1929, I watched an adult female of this species on a marsh near Tolleshunt D’Arcy. When first seen, the bird was resting on a marsh gate and an excellent view of it was obtained through field-glasses. It was seen subsequently several times during the same day. I have seen the species before and on this occasion was able to make out the distinctive features of its plumage quite easily. LONG-TAILED Duck (Clangula hyemalis)—An immature drake was obtained on the Blackwater on January Ist, 1930, 98 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOL. 2a by Mr. I. Hills. It was the only one seen at the time. Mr. Pettitt, who preserved the bird, found that it was in excellent condition. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER (Colymbus immer).—A note of mine was published in British Birds (Vol. XXIIL., p. 102) stating that this species had occurred for the last three years on a certain part of the Blackwater. On January rst, 1930, Mr. Pettitt saw two, and on February 15th, 1930, I saw one, both records being from the same haunt as in past seasons. BLACK-THROATED DIVER (Colymbus a. arcticus).—An adult in full summer plumage was seen by Mr. W. Cole close to Walton pier in the first week of July, 1929. The bird made no attempt to dive and was no doubt wounded. Mr. T. H. Harrisson tells me that he saw one on the Blackwater on February 8th, 1930. On February 15th, 1930, one assuming summer plumage was seen on the Blackwater near Tollesbury. RED-THROATED DIVER (Colymbus stellatus).—Mr. J. Pettitt observed one on the Blackwater on January Ist, 1930. On the 19th I found one washed up on the shingle near Colne Point. This bird had been dead some days and was badly oiled about the breast. TURNSTONE (Avenaria 1. interpres)—Mr. Glegg regards this bird as “‘an uncommon double-passage migrant which has been recorded every month of the year except December, January and February,” and this is commented on in the review (B.B., Vol. XXIII, p. 47). As I considered thaz the Turnstone was more abundant on the Blackwater than Mr. Glegg’s status implies, I recorded (t.c., p. 102) that Turnstones were reported from Mersea Flats in December, 1928. On February 8th, 1930, Mr. T. H. Harrisson saw a party of seven near Bradwell, on the south shore of the Blackwater. Although the late Mr. Miller Christy stated that the Turnstone sometimes occurs in winter, he gave no instances, so that it seems that Mr. Harrisson’s is the first record of its occurrence during February. On February 15th, 1930, I paid a visit to the Blackwater estuary. There was a very high tide and large flocks of “‘ Waders’ were forced off the flats on the Bradwell shore to the saltings on the north bank of the river. During high water, four Turnstones were seen resting with a flock of Dunlin. Subsequently, seven or eight more were seen on the wing. The Turnstone as a rule prefers the shingly coasts, but during their stay here, where there is comparatively little \WOL XxXIVv.] ESSEX BIRD NOTES. 99 ‘shingle, they spend much of their time on the mud. For ithe last few years this part of the coast has been undergoing .a change, banks of shingle and sand washing up and replacing \what was once mud. It is quite possible that this has ‘influenced the status of the Turnstone in the district. SPOTTED ReEpDSHANK (Tringa erythropus).—There are apparently only about a dozen published records of the occurrence of this species in Essex. On September 27th, 1929, a single Spotted Redshank was flushed from the saltings by the side of Tollesbury Creek. There were several Common -Redshanks on the wing at the same time, so that the larger -size of the former, together with the smaller amount of white on the wing and the larger amount on the rump, was clearly apparent, while identification was confirmed by the difference ‘in their alarm notes. LittLe Auk (Alle alle).—Mr. J. Pettitt informs me that he ‘and Mr. I. Hills saw eight or nine Little Auks on the Black- ‘water off West Mersea on January Ist, 1930. Two were ‘obtained which on examination were found to be in very |poor condition. PurFin (Fratercula arctica).—Mr. J. Pettitt saw one on _ January tst, 1930, off West Mersea. (100) NOTES ON CUCKOOS IN 1930. BY EDGAR P. CHANCE. IN my experience Cuckoos (Cuculus c. canorus) have been with us in abundance this season. As a consequence, there should be some interesting experiences to record. The following have come under my notice. On May 2oth I was out in Berkshire with my friend, O. R. Owen, when he found a nest of a Blackbird (Turdus m. merula) containing four of its own eggs and one Cuckoo’s, all being fresh. An explanation for this exceptional combina- tion may be that a Hedge-Sparrow’s nest containing fresh eggs a few days before in the same rhododendron had mean- while come to grief and was therefore not available for the Cuckoo when she went to lay. It would be instructive if egg-collectors, on finding anything exceptional, would seek for evidence which might help to explain matters—we found Cuckoo eggs in Hedge-Sparrows’ nests in the same wood, but none laid by this Cuckoo. On June 11th, in Radnorshire, O. R. Owen found a nest of a Meadow-Pipit (Anthus pratensis) containing three eggs of | the Cuckoo, the product of two Cuckoos. On two previous occasions, once on June 17th, 1923, and again on June 3rd, 1928 (vide antea, Vol. XXII., p. 110), this precise combination has fallen to my lot. In no other cases have I experienced three Cuckoos’ eggs in one nest, nor two eggs from the same Cuckoo in one nest. In each of these three cases the Meadow- Pipit’s nest contained two eggs of the Meadow-Pipit and also, curiously, each time the three Cuckoos’ eggs have been the product of two Cuckoos. In the first instance I was able to establish with reasonable certainty that the Cuckoo which laid two eggs in the nest did so for want of another nest of the same species on her territory. In this connexion, it is significant that on the same date—June 11th, 1930—and within a short distance, O. R. Owen also found a nest of a Whinchat (Saxicola v. rubetra) containing six of its ownand one Cuckoo’s egg—a most unusual fosterer. On May 3Ist, 1930, a Cuckoo laid an egg—for the second year in succession—in the nest of a Pied Wagtail (Motacilla a. yarrellii) on my house in Berkshire. The day before, when the Wagtail’s nest contained one egg I surprised some friends by inviting them by telephone to “‘ come and see a Cuckoo lay on my house to-morrow.’”’ The Cuckoo’s previous VOL. XXIV.] CUCKOOS IN 1930. 101 manceuvres encouraged this forecast, for on Monday, May 12th, at 8.30 o’clock in the morning, my wife called my attention to a male Cuckoo flying into the ivy under a bed- room window at the front of the house to exactly the spot where the same female Cuckoo laid in the Wagtail’s nest last year. This incident led me immediately to examine this year’s nest of the Wagtail, which I knew to be in the ivy on the other side of the front door, between that and the cloak- room window. I showed the nest to the gardener at midday, when it contained one young Wagtail, about three days’ old, whereas a week previously it had contained three eggs well incubated. I have an open mind as to whether either the male or female Cuckoo had at this time even discovered the Wagtail’s nest. We decided the young Wagtail was too young to “ ring.” My wife and I went out in the afternoon, but upon our return to tea the gardener, who had been working near by, reported that at about 3.30 p.m., noticing a hubbub in an oak tree fifty yards from the house in full view of the nest, he looked up and saw a Cuckoo being mobbed by Chaffinches and other birds. In a few moments, to his amazement, the Cuckoo glided straight down into the ivy to the spot where I had shown him the nest at midday. My gardener says that the Cuckoo remained there for two or three minutes, and when she flew out she settled momentarily on a young cedar tree. He particularly noticed that she had nothing in her beak. He went to the Wagtail’s nest and found it empty; after hunting the ivy down to the ground, he remains perfectly convinced that the Cuckoo ate the young Wagtail. It would be easy, however, to be mistaken in such a matter. As soon as he reported the incident I told him that the Cuckoo obviously intended to lay in the “ repeat ’’ nest of this Wagtail. The Wagtail was slow in rebuilding, but its new nest was just on the other side of the window and within two or three yards of that from which its young had been taken, but a much less easy site for the Cuckoo to observe. The female Cuckoo was noticed in an ash tree at the bottom of the garden, a long distance observation post, but the best under the circumstances. On Sunday, May 25th, and on Thursday, May 29th, she was so much in evidence that I then declared that if the Wagtail should begin to lay by Saturday, May 31st, in my opinion the Cuckoo would lay that day. My observa- tions in Worcestershire from Ig18 to 1922, reported fully in ; in 4 102 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV, | sively that a female Cuckoo takes especial interest in the particular nest in which she intends to lay forty-eight hours hence, following upon her initial observations during the process of nest-building on the part of her intended victims, The behaviour of the male Cuckoo at 8.30 a.m. on May rath, in conjunction with the fact that the Cuckoo's egg laid on May 31st is exactly similar to that found in the Wagtail’s nest on the house about a week later last year, is confirmatory evidence of the fact that the same Cuckoos mate together from year to year, and continue to victimize the same individual fosterers. I am still of the opinion that Cuckoos, although they mate together like this, are in some measure promiscuous. On May 2tst this year a nest of a Dartford Warbler (Sylvia u. dartfordiensis) was found in the south of England, con- taining three eggs and a Cuckoo’s egg. Again, on June 25th, in the same district, the same man in company with a well- known ornithologist, found a nest of a Corn-Bunting (Emberiza c. calandra) with three of its own eggs and one of a Cuckoo. Isaw these two nests the following day and was interested to find that in both cases they were within easy | reach of good observation posts for the Cuckoos. From the character of the surroundings, in both cases I should conclude that Meadow-Pipits were the intended victims of these Cuckoos, and had I been present on both occasions I should have expected to find such evidence. Of a great number of Dartford Warbler’s nests which I have been privileged, through the courtesy of friends, to see within recent years, I have seen none so likely to be found by a Cuckoo hunting in the heather for a Meadow-Pipit’s nest as this Dartford _Warbler’s nest, which contained a Cuckoo’s egg. One friend of mine has found more Cuckoo eggs this year than in any of the last ten years, a total of no less than 67 eggs, including a run of eighteen from a fifth-year Reed- Warbler Cuckoo, which laid seventeen eggs last year. I think that thirty-five Cuckoo’s eggs in two consecutive seasons from the same Reed-Warbler Cuckoo is a record. The longest recorded series by a Reed-Warbler Cuckoo in any one season—nineteen in the year 1921—1s also in my collection. My own self-taken series of twenty-one in the year 1920 and twenty-five in the year 1922, in both cases from the Meadow-Pipit Cuckoo of Cuckoo film fame, are the only recorded instances of a Cuckoo laying as many as twenty eggs In a season. British Birds and in The Cuckoo's Secret, had proved conclu- — | Se JAYS KILLING FULLY-GROWN YOUNG OF SONG-THRUSH. ON July 5th, 1930, I was photographing in Monmouthshire some Song-Thrushes (Turdus ph. clarket) from a hide. The old birds were feeding fully-grown young ones, when two Jays (Garrulus g. rufitergum) attacked the nest. One of the young ones was killed and another was carried away by the Jays, which took no notice of the old Song-Thrushes, whose endeavours to defend their young were in vain. T. R. TALLIs. HAWFINCH BUILDING THREE NESTS IN A SEASON. In a garden at Woodford Green, Essex, last year (1929), a pair of Hawfinches (Coccothraustes c. coccothraustes} built a nest in an open position on the leafless branch of an apple tree. The nest was first noticed on April roth, when about half finished, and was added to from time to time for the next two or three weeks. A quantity of twigs and rootlets was dropped to the path beneath. The nest was not examined or disturbed, but no eggs were laid, and in the middle of May another nest was built in a pear tree 15 yards away. It was well concealed and no material was dropped from this nest. Two eggs were laid, and one young was hatched, which flew on June 6th. On June roth a third nest was commenced 20 yards from the last, also very well con- cealed, and with a very small quantity of dropped material. The three eggs were destroyed, very probably by a Jay. In the previous season much the same procedure in building was gone through. A first nest was started before the leaves were on the trees, in an easily seen position, and betrayed by a quantity of dropped material. It was deserted after the leaves appeared, and another nest built and used in a well-hidden position. C. L. COLLENETTE CHAFFINCHES CAUGHT IN NEST-LINING. Two incidents suggestive of a heavy mortality among nestlings of the Chaffinch (Fringilla c. celebs) were impressed on us recently. On June 25th, 1930, near Whalley (Lancs.),an unusual demonstration by a male Chaffinch caused us to investigate the thorn hedge from which the bird had flown, where we 104 BRITISH BIRDS. | [VOL. XXIV. found a fully-feathered young bird hanging head downwards, our advent having scared it into leaving the nest. The foot was entangled with nest-lining—horse-hair and wool. I caught the bird, and after clearing the foot of the wool, etc. —with which it was matted—we finally liberated it. It flew strongly, and alighted in a tree about seventy yards distant. The remainder of the brood must have left the nest some time previously, and the unfortunate captive had in the meantime been fed, apparently, by the male parent. Three days later, E. Battersby encountered a somewhat similar state of affairs within two miles of the first nest. In this case the bird was dead, but was hanging head downwards in precisely the same way. Both these nests were lined with cow-hair, horse-hair, and a little wool. CLIFFORD OAKES. EDMUND BATTERSBY. HOUSE-SPARROWS EJECTING MARTINS. Havina had occasion to destroy the nest of a pair of House- Sparrows (Passer d. domesticus) which had been built in a gutter on my house (at Kelling, Norfolk) and which contained two eggs, I was surprised to find that, in order to provide a new home at short notice, the birds attacked the nest of a pair of House-Martins (Delichon u. urbica) which were then feeding three half-fledged young. This nest was about 15 feet away. The Sparrow’s nest was destroyed on the evening of July 14th, and on the evening of July 15th, on my return home, one of the Martins swooped down close to my head (a trick this species has when one of its young falls from the nest) and, sure enough, a young bird was found lying dead on the ground. Next morning my wife saw another fall from the nest, and at the same moment a Sparrow flew away. I then found the two other young, one dead, the other still alive. Wishing to see exactly what happened, I replaced the live bird and hid in an outhouse whence I could watch proceedings unseen. The time was then to a.m. Within ten minutes both Martins returned and one remained in the nest. At 10.18 the cock Sparrow entered and dragged out the parent Martin by the neck, both birds falling almost to the ground before separating. The hen Sparrow then entered, but two minutes later came out and the cock went in for a few moments only. At 10.30 one Martin returned and worked at the entrance hole, probably trying to make it fYOL. XXIV.| NOTES. 105 smaller, and afterwards went into the nest. Five minutes later the hen Sparrow entered and drove out the parent ‘Martin, hanging on to its tail or wing as it struggled out. At ‘10.48 the cock Sparrow entered and the hen came out, fol- ‘lowed a moment later by the cock dragging out the young ‘Martin, which this time fell dead to the ground. The young ‘birds showed signs of having been pecked on the head, and I believe the last one was finally killed in the nest before being ejected. The Sparrows have thus gained a home for their eggs and I hesitate to molest them lest they attack one of -my other nests, now just hatching. R. M. GARNETT. FLY-CATCHING ACTION OF SKY-LARK. ON June 11th, 1930, when staying at Katwick, on the Dutch coast, I noted a curious action on the part of three Sky-Larks (Alauda a. arvensis). Over a broad ditch at the corner of a pasture field a cloud of gnats was dancing about 15 feet in the air. Presently a Sky-Lark flew into the midst of them and began hovering like a Kestrel. I moved up within 15 yards and could distinctly hear the snapping of the mandibles as it caught the gnats. Two other Sky-Larks flew up and joined company in the Kestrel-like hovering, and in the audible snapping of the bill. After a very short feed they flew down to earth. I noticed a pair of Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) close by, but they took no part in the gnat-catching. WILLIAM SERLE. LARGE BROOD OF PIED WAGTAILS. On June 14th, 1930, Mr. J. Vincent and I found a Pied Wagtail’s (Motacilla alba yarrellit) nest in marram grass in the sand-dunes at Waxham, Norfolk. It contained seven newly hatched young, two fertile eggs and two clear eggs. The Practical Handbook records “clutches of 9 to II, probably by two hens’’, and no doubt this clutch of eleven was asimilar case ; however, we saw one male and one female only visiting the nest and feeding the young. A. W. Boyp. [The statement in the Practical Handbook was based on nine recorded instances of ten to eleven eggs. In three of these cases there was evidence that two hens had taken part, and in one instance the two females were sitting side by side in the same nest. See also notes on this subject in B.B., Vol. XXIII, p. 127.—F. C. R. JourDarn.] H 106 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. NUTHATCH IN PEMBROKESHIRE. WitH reference to Mr. Fincher’s note (antea, p. 75), the statement in the Practical Handbook (1919-20) that the Nuthatch is “very rare in western Wales” stands in need of revision. In Pembrokeshire, the westernmost county of the Princi- pality, Mr. Charles Oldham and I have noted this species in winter and summer in at least a dozen localities. Though much of this county consists of treeless tillage and moorland quite unsuited to the Nuthatch, we have during the last seven years seen a good many nests and young broods in various parts, ranging from the northern to the southern boundaries ; and in some of the wooded districts about Milford Haven this species is a fairly well distributed resident. BERTRAM LLOYD. ADULT WILLOW-WARBLER KILLED BY RED- BACKED SHRIKE, AT Benacre, Suffolk, on July 8th, 1930, I found an adult Willow-Warbler (Phylloscopus ¢t. trochilus) killed by a Red-backed Shrike (Lanius c. collurio). The bird was hanging on a broken twig of an elder, which pierced the neck. It was quite fresh and undamaged except for the skull, which was cracked open and picked bare. F. STAUNTON. [Mr. J. H. Owen has found Willow-Warblers and Common Whitethroats the most frequent victims among the many small birds killed by this species, cf. Vol. XXIII., p. 95.— EDs. | RING-OUZEL IN KENT IN JULY. ON July 27th, 1930, a bird was brought to me by the farm bailiff of a local farmer to identify. It was an adult male Ring-Ouzel (Turdus t. torquatus) in good condition. The Ring-Ouzel has occurred before in the parish of Boxley, but on the spring migration; there are two in the Maidstone Museum, one shot in Boxley in the month of May, but I can find no record of one occurring in July in Kent. JAMES R. HALE. BLACK REDSTARTS IN PEMBROKESHIRE. THERE was a fair arrival of Black Redstarts (Phenicurus o. gibraltariensis) on the island of Skokholm this spring, as the following records show. As the adult female is rather q , ‘VOL. XXIV. ] NOTES. 107 difficult to distinguish from the first year male, I have only noted the sex of full-plumage males. March 5th, 1930, two ; 13th, a male; 22nd and 23rd, two males; 25th (this on Skomer Island), one; 26th, 27th and 29th, one; 30th, at least two, probably four ; 31st, one ; April 2nd, two; 6th, one. The occurrence of a male on Skokholm on April 28th, 1929, should be added to those already recorded for that year (antea, Vol. XXII., p. 373). R. M. LOcKLeEy. MORTALITY AMONGST SWIFTS CAUSED BY COLD. A BIG southerly movement of Swifts (Apus a. apus) usually occurs along the Suffolk coast at the end of the third week of July. This year (1930) the drift was at its height on the afternoon of July 21st, a day of heavy squalls of rain and wind from S.S.W. with a temperature low for the time of year. There was a further drop in the temperature during the night. Next morning a lady living in Aldeburgh told me that her garden was “ full of dead and dying Swifts.”’ On going there I saw about thirty Swifts massed and clinging to the outside wall of the house under the eaves. On the ground many birds were lying dead or helpless. We collected the survivors and placed them in baskets in a warm room. In a few hours most of these recovered and were turned out. From similar reports from other sources it is evident that Swifts suffered heavily throughout this district. The birds I handled were all adults. J. B. WATSON. [Very similar occurrences are referred to in A History of the Birds of Kent, p. 225.—EDs.] YOUNG KESTRELS KILLING SMALLEST OF BROOD. On May 24th, 1930, I found a Kestrel (Falco t. tinnunculus) in Breconshire, sitting on five eggs, and on June ry4th all the eggs had hatched. On June 21st I spent a considerable time in a hide photographing the Kestrels ; there were four strong young ones and one weakling in the nest, and the strong ones were pecking vigorously at the weakling and obviously trying to tear it up and eat it, but they were, however, not quite strong enough to do this. On June 28th the weakling had disappeared and had apparently been eaten. I saw the following food brought to the nest ; several mice, a young Greenfinch and a lizard. i. RK. Tatsss, 108 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. GADWALL IN KENT. On April 21st, 1930, I identified a pair of Gadwall (Anas stvepera) amongst a crowd of other ducks on one of the Romney Marsh Fleets. When I next visited the locality on the 30th I was unable to find them, and they had presumably passed on. During the last thirty years or more I have visited these Fleets several times each spring and this is the first time I have met with Gadwall there and the species still remains an unaccountably rare visitor to Kent. The only additional occurrences that have come to my notice since the publication of my History of the Birds of Kent are an adult male shot at Darenth on January 7th, 1881, and a pair shot at flight near Appledore in January, 1928. N. F. Ticenursi BREEDING STATUS OF THE GARGANEY IN ESSEX. In his History of the Birds of Essex Mr. W. E. Glegg sums up the status of the Garganey (Anas querquedula) as an “uncommon summer visitor to Essex, where it has bred on several occasions.’’ I think it should be described as an uncommon but regular breeding species in the county, and I believe that it has nested regularly since 1912. I am quite convinced that the species is well distributed throughout the county, but the nest is very difficult to find. Additional to the information regarding nesting given by Mr. Glegg I have the following notes :— In 1912 there were two or three pairs on the Thames Marshes and at least that number have been present every summer since, though the number now is probably five or SIX pairs. In 1920 a pair again bred on the Crouch, where a brood was reared in 1896 as recorded by Mr. Glegg (p. 177). In 192I and 1922 two pairs bred on some marshes south of the Crouch. They returned in 1923, but the fleet had become brackish and I believe the birds settled not very far away. On May 14th, 1922, I flushed a drake Garganey and saw another pair on the marsh in which Mr. Glegg records a pair seen by Colonel Sparrow in 1925. The keeper had confused the birds with the Teal, so it is quite probable that they bred | here prior to 1922. They certainly have done so every season since. On the Blackwater the Garganey. bred in 1923 and has done so every year since. WOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 109 This year (1930) I have found two pairs breeding still ‘further to the north of the county. Here again the keeper ‘had mistaken the birds for Teal. It is quite possible one or two of these records are included ‘in Mr. Glegg’s book, but without any details so that one ‘cannot be certain. P. M. MEEson. RINGED PLOVER’S DOUBLE BROOD. ‘On April 27th, 1930, in a rough bit of land beside a forest in east Suffolk, I saw a Ringed Plover’s (Charadrius h. hiaticula) ‘nest with four eggs, on which the bird was sitting. These eggs hatched out successfully. In the same patch of ground, on July rgth, I saw a nest with the eggs just chipping. This ‘must have been a second brood, as no other pair of Ringed Plovers frequented that area. T. G. POWELL. [Mr. J. K. Stanford has already shown (Vol. XXI., p. 77) that Ringed Plovers are usually double-brooded in Suffolk, but this appears to be a particularly clear example owing to the absence of other birds in the locality concerned.—EDs. | MELANIC NESTLINGS OF THE LAPWING. On May 31st, 1930, in the hilly country a few miles south of Macclesfield, Cheshire, I found a brood of four young Lap- wings (Vanellus vanellus); two of these were normal, but the other two appeared at first sight to be quite black, like young Moorhens. On examination it was seen that the usual mottled brown colour was replaced with black, except that there were tinges of brown at the tips of the downy feathers ; the nape was a dull white, much darker than that of a normal chick, and the belly was white. The general appearance of the two black youngsters was most remarkable, particularly when in company with the normal birds. A. W. Boyp. THE ROOK IN LANARKSHIRE, 1922-29.—Under this title Mr. Walter Stewart gives the results of a census of nests of the Rook (Corvus f. frugilegus) in Lanarkshire, taken in 1929, and compares the figures for each rookery with those obtained in a similar census in 1922. Taking the county as a whole, the nests have increased from about 18,800 in 1922 to 23,800 in 1929. This increase is, however, mainly due to one small area in the south-east of the county, where the nests have increased from 2,800 to over 6,000. In one of the largest of 110 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. these rookeries great numbers of birds have been shot in endeavours to decrease them, yet their number has more than doubled. Those interested should refer to the full results given in The Scottish Naturalist, 1930, pp. 15-21, and for the 1922 census, 1923, pp. 141-6: IMMIGRATION OF CROSSBILLS. There are indications that last year’s immigration of Loxia curvirostra is being repeated this year and several reports of birds seen have already been received. Since, however, certain of the 1929 migrants appear to have remained in different parts of the country over the winter, it is desirable that correspondents should state so far as they are able whether any birds have been seen prior to July, 1930, in localities whence any fresh records are sent in. BIRDS IN SkyE.—As a result of a short visit paid to Skye by Misses L. J. Rintoul and E. V. Baxter in May and June, 1930, some interesting additions were made to the island list (Scot. Nat., 1930, pp. 85-7). Chief among them were: Greenfinch, some proved to breed; Tree-Pipit, males singing in two localities; Wood-Warbler heard singing in two places; Redstart, one seen; Tufted Duck, a pair ‘“ obviously breeding’’; Eider, greatly increased. CONTINENTAL BLUE TiT IN SHETLAND.—Mr. W. L. McDougall records (Scot. Nat., 1930, p. 22) that he found a Blue Tit in a conservatory at Sumburgh House on January 11th, 1930. The bird has been examined and proves to be of the typical race, Parus c. ceruleus, and is a male measuring 67 mm. in the wing. Single birds of this form have previously been identified in Peebleshire, Fair Isle and Norfolk. ROLLER In Muii.—Dr. J. Ritchie records that a Coractas g. garrulus, shot in Mull on September roth, 1927, has been presented to the Royal Scottish Museum. HOBBY IN SUTHERLAND.—Mr. F. S. Beveridge states (Scot. Nat., 1930, p. 22) that he saw a Hobby (Falco subbuteo) at Scourie on August 12th-13th, 1929. The bird appeared to be very tired. PINK-FOOTED GOOSE IN SHETLAND.—Although the Pink- footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) has visited Fair Isle, it had not been identified in Shetland. Mr. G. W. Russell writes (Scot. Nat., 1930, p. 68) that it occurs there and he has . yor. XXIV. ]} NOTES. 111 sent the head, wing and foot of one shot near Lerwick on ‘October 21st, 1929, to the Royal Scottish Museum, which have been identified as belonging to this species. BREEDING OF GOOSANDER IN SELKIRKSHIRE.—Mr. G. R. Millar records (Scot. Nat., 1930, p. 87) that three or four pairs of Mergus merganser bred in 1930 on the River Ettrick. Eggs and down have been identified by the authorities of the Royal Scottish Museum. The Goosander had not before been recorded as breeding south of the Forth. LETTERS. ‘‘NIGHT SOARING OF SWIFTS.” To the Editor of BritisH Brrps. Sirs,—I quite agree with Mr. James J. Cash (antea, p. 88) that Swifts (A pus a. apus) do return to their nesting and roosting quarters after their occasional high vesper flights. About thirty years ago, on several occasions, I investigated this matter, and recorded my observa- tions in The Naturalist so long ago as 1907 (p. 113) and I have several times confirmed them since. I was favourably situated for watching a particular colony, and on certain clear bright evenings (usually in June) when I saw the birds (males, I believe them to be) mounting in large circles just before dusk, I would take up my stand on a hill that stood behind the buildings in which several pairs nested and roosted. I used a pair of “sea and night’’ binoculars which were very good for evening work, or even for light nights. I watched the birds as long as possible, and never saw any signs of descent. But as soon as they were completely lost to view I made my way quickly to just below, where they nested, a matter of only a few minutes. In about a quarter of an hour later I could distinctly hear the flutterings of the returning birds above me in the darkness, and sometimes a_ bird appeared to have a little difficulty in finding its exact quarters. Although they appeared to return singly, yet there was but little time between the first flutter and the last. I have since noticed that such evenings when Swifts take these curious vesper flights are followed by dark nights. Occasionally at that season of the year we have a night or two when it does not really get dark at all, or not until after 1 or 2 a.m., when I have given up the hunt. On several such evenings I have turned out to observe Swifts and certain bats. But the Swifts went to bed, and the bats stayed at home ! H. B. Boortu. BEN RHYDDING, YORKS. RETURN OF CUCKOO TO SAME TERRITORY IN SUCCESSIVE SEASONS. To the Editors of BritisH Birps. Sirs,—Mr. Gordon Clark’s letter (antea, p. 88), reporting a male Cuckoo’s (Cuculus c. canorus) return for twelve seasons, is very interesting to me. 112 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV, As yet, in my careful examination of this problem, nine seasons is the limit which any Cuckoo has reached in returning to lay—always on the same area, though expanded or contracted according to the competition in the laying territory with which she has to contend. If it would be of interest, I should be pleased, when time permits, to tabulate the results of my investigations into this particular problem. In the meantime, the experience of careful observers would be most interesting. I am personally of the opinion that females also tend to return year after year to the same territory, in the breeding-season, just as constantly as males. This conclusion naturally leads on to the belief that birds frequently —and in my opinion probably for preference—select the same mates season after season. I am inclined to think in many cases they are companions all the year round. I would not narrow this conclusion to birds, but should not be surprised, if one could be authoritatively informed, that everything in Nature tends to establish for itself its own beat or home. I refer principally to the breeding-season. My egg collection demonstrates almost countless occasions when in successive seasons the same female has been laying on the same territory. For instance, I have reliable proof that a Meadow-Pipit (Anthus pratensis) has laid during each of the last four seasons on the same territory. An interesting problem is what becomes of the young in the following breeding-season ; and, when father or mother dies, is it often a descendant that takes his or her place ? BULWELL, BURCHETTS GREEN, BERKS. EpGcar P. CHANCE. August 8th, 1930. DELAYED LAYING OF A LAPWING. To the Editors of BritisH BirDs. Sirs,—On March 22nd, 1930, one of a number of Lapwings’ (Vanellus vanellus) nests which I found in Berkshire contained two eggs of an unusual type. I replaced these eggs with two ordinary eggs, and I visited the nest again on March 29th expecting to find a clutch of four had been completed. As the weather in the meantime had been quite normal, I was surprised to find the bird apparently sitting upon the two eggs which I had left in the nest a week ago, for the same two eggs were there which I had marked and they were warm. I therefore gave the bird two more eggs upon which to sit, making four in all. When visiting the ground again on April 1st, I was surprised to find the bird sitting on five eggs, the extra egg being quite obviously the third egg of the bird’s own clutch. This I removed, and on Saturday, April 5th, found the Lapwing had laid her fourth egg. This interval of over a week between the laying of the second and third egg is surely quite unusual in normal weather circumstances. BULWELL, BURCHETTS GREEN, BERKS. EpGAR P. CHANCE. August 8th, 1930. © “a; That Book you want! Foyles hold a considerable stock of Second-hand Books on Ornithology, and can supply any Scientific Book that is in print and most of those that are out of print. They have a Special Department for this class of literature under a Manager who has experience and knowledge of the Natural Sciences. Call and consult him, or write asking for Catalogue 637. Books sent on approval. 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Fowter, Bookseller, 11 Grtprepce. Rp., Easrpourne, Encianp. W. F. H. ROSENBERG 57, Haverstock Hill, London, N.W.3, England Telephone: Primrose Hill 0660 Price List of Birds of the World, including over 4, 000 species, post free to readers of “‘ British Birds.” Every description of collecting apparatus kept in stock. | — Also available: Price Lists of Eggs, Mammals, Reptiles, Lepidoptera, and books on Natural History. EE eeEE——_—__—_—_—_ ee! te. ys a BRITSABIRDS WITH WHICH Was INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, THE ZOOLOGIST.” EDITED BY H. F.WITHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S.,M.B.O.U.,H.F.A.O.U. ASSISTED BY Rev. F. C. R. JoURDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.O.U., F.Z.S., AND NORMAN F. TICEHURST, O.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. CONTENTS OF NUMBER 5, VOL. XXIV., OCTOBER I, 1930. — PAGE A North Sea Bird-Log, 1928-1929. By Capt. D. K. Wolfe Murray, F.Z.S. he nee ine AFF sate ane A # Il4 Some Further Notes on the Birds of Bardsey Island. By W. Wilson ine woe 7 er Bae es oh r2i INQUES, :— Notice to Ringers Seid ee hte s85 ae eis ia Incubation- and Fledging-Periods of some British Birds (W. J. and A. H. Eggeling) : T: at oe I Nestlings Caught in Nest-lining (Col. . H. Ryves) te {2 Crossbills Eating Apples (Stanley Cewis) . ath 12 A Pair of Wagtails Rearing Two Cuckoos in one Season (Mrs. D. Micholls) 7 Ar Hee ore ae ee 126 Spotted Flycatcher’s Nest used Twice in one Year by Different Pairs (C. L. Collenette) ... te ae an 126 Redstarts Feeding upon Elderberries (G. C. S. Ingram) ... I27 Evidence for Individual Changes in Swallow Population (J. F. Thomas) Res an ees ar a eis 127 Size of Swallow Broods in Carmarthenshire during August (J. I. Thomas) os = ee ape 128 Swallow’s Unusual Nesting Site (J. F. Thomas) aXe ve 129 Swift Roosting in a Tree “(Miss E. L. Turner) ou 129 Green Woodpecker in West Ross-shire (Miss M. Barcla ay) a 129 A oa Note on Double Brooding of the Nightjar (D. L. Lack) ba ei ae sen So 130 Greenland Falcon in Inverness: shire (H. C. R. Gillman) ... 131 Osprey in Cumberland (D. F. Jopson) ts _e = 131 Little Egret in Devonshire aw: Walmesley White)... ies 131 Size of Clutches in Sandwich Tern (H. W. Robinson) aes 132 Short Notes :— White Starling in Essex. Common Scoter Inland in Lancashire. Census of Heronries. Oystercatcher Nesting in Kent. Black Ternsin Surrey and Wiltshire. Black Terns in Worcestershire. Little Tern Nesting in Kent... ot” OLAS Reviews :— British Birds. By F. B. Kirkman and F. C. R. Jourdain ... 134 The Rookeries of the Oxford District. A Prel.minary Report. : By E. M. and B. D. Nicholson. Journal of Ecology, Vol. oO Se és Wind and yo. No. Lat.(N.) Long.(E.) toms \ ny MARCH—continued. LY 40° 4° 45° S.E. light Low. 54° 55’ 4°50’ S.S.E. light Fog. 54°55’ 4° 50° Variable Good. 54° 40’ 4°10’ S.E. strong Low. 55°55 5°30’ S.S.W. light Mod. APRIL 55° 50’ 5° 40’ N. by E. mod. Low. 56° 00’ 5°50’ N.N.E. light Low. 56° 10’ 5° 30’ S.W. by S. Low. strong. 50° 5’ 5° 30’ S.W. byS. light Good. 56° 5’ 5° 40° S.5iW. light Mod. 56° 00’ 5° 30’ S.by W.light Low. 56° 10’ 5° 20’ S. by E. light Mod. 56° 20’ 5°30’ S. by E. light Mod. i ee en es a 116 : BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. Xx1 Date Species No. Lat.(N.) Long.(E.) APRIL—continued. 12th Common Snipe ) (C. gallinago) 1. | Oe onary. z : Sidhe ay 56° 20’ 5° 35’ E. by N. strong Low. Brambling ... 3 19th Meadow-Pipit I 54° 50’ 6°00’ N.E. light Good. 21st Chaffinch I 54° 30’ 6°05’ E. light Good. MAY. 2nd Meadow-Pipit I ‘ Chiffchaff (P. collybita) 1 55° to’ 3° 40’ SW mod. Mod. 3rd _ Song-Thrush (I. philomelus) 1 58° 15’ 21°40’ E. by S. mod. Gosai 4th Redstart (P. phenicurus) 2 Willow-Warbler (P. trochilus) 1 - Fieldfare 3 (I. pilaris) 1 Sky-Lark I Chaffinch as mel Meadow-Pipit a 5th Wheatear 59° 5’ 1°40" § ES.E. light Good. Bae 3 Position as above. Fog. Fieldfare i 6th Fieldfare 55°15’ 4° x0’ S.W. light Poor. (S. borin) I | PiedFlycatcher I 26th Common Snipe I 55°15’ 4°25’ S.W. mod. Mod. 27th Curlew... en a Ringed Plover ! en Gay ee (C. hiaticula) 1 ; 55°15’ 4° 20’ S.W. mod. Mod. Willow-Warbler 1 SEPTEMBER. 27th(5)Shearwater ... 3 55° 25’ 5°00’ Nil Good. Sora(S}Oumin ... .. I 55 20° (5° 55" INE. med. Good. OCTOBER. 4th Spotted Fly- catcher (M. striata) 1 55° 20’ 4°30’ Nil Good. (1) This year’s bird in immature plumage. (?) Immature bird. (§) Immature. (*) Curlew flying S.W. very low. (5) Probably Puffinus puffinus. (6) Assuming winter plumage. . 118 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx1Vv, Date Species No. Lat.(N.) Long.(E.) ee Visibility OCTOBE R—continued. 5th Blackbird 55) 5 a4 to’ 5, We. len Good. 6th Starling a) ()Owl Tr + 54°55’ 4° 20° SSW. light Low. Chaffinch I j Number of different species for 1928 44 t9oz9. MAY. gth Swallow .. I 55° 10’ 5° 50’ W.S.W. light Mod. Meadow-Pipit I a == = = 11th Whitethroat (S. communis) 1 55 30° 6° 50° VW. mod. Low 13th Swallow i A Ql oee fee? ware ae Willow-Warbler... 1 J %5 55 © 50° W. lght nie 14th(?)Golden Plover .,. 200-300 55° 50’ 6°50’ S. mod. Good JUNE. gth Common Sandpiper (T. hypoleucos) 1 55° To’ 5° 507 S.W. ieht Good. 1oth Turtle-Dove I 55° 30’ 5° 40’ S.by.W. light Good. 27th Crossbill (L. curvivostva) 2 54° 20’ 4°50’ N. light Good. 29th Mallard (A. platyrhyncha) 54° 30’ 4° 45° N.N.W. light Good. {LONER 2tst Dunlin : T 54° 20’ 4° 30’ W. mod Mod. 26th Little Tern S. albi I angen” | 54° 50’ 4°00’ S.W. strong Mod. (S. skua) 1 AUGUST. NI. SEPTEMBER. gth Wheatear I 55° 00’ 5° 10’ N. light Good. roth Wheatear I 55.00’ 5° 10’ N. light Good. 12th Whinchat I 54° 50’ 4°40’ S. mod. Good. 13th Wheatear I 55° 00’ 4° 20’ S.5.W. light Good) yah) Wunlin’ 2. I 55° 00’ 4°40’ W. light Low. 15th Wheatear Eat Me ; > Willow-Warbler... 1 t 8505, 5 007 fo MER A 16th Redstart Fi Wheatear oe Willow-Warbler... 1 : Starling ... I Spotted Flycatcher T » 55° 15° 4° 30° EB. light Low. Sparrow-Hawk (A. nisus) 1 ‘Turtle-Dove I Water-Rail (R. aquaticus) 1 (1) Probably Asio flammets (?) Flying high—N.N.W. VOL. XXIV.j A NORTH SEA BIRD LOG. 119 ia Ni sok tees Date Species No. Lat.(N.) Lone.(E.) ore Visibility SEPTEMBE R—continucd. t9oth Dunlin ... se I Pied Flycatcher... 1 o aaa : Retin aes see he 55° 10’ 4°20’ E.S.E. light Mod. Starling ... I 18th Dunlin I Spotted | ; Flycatcher I BB? to’ 4° 30° Nil Low. Sparrow-Hawk... I j Redstart I tg9th Meadow-Pipit I rae aot 4° 30° WLW. Good. strong 24th Wheatear a | 55°25’ 4°30’ S. light Low. 25th Redstart ne 53° 30’ 4°35’ S. light Mod. 26th Wheatear jen 8 55° 35’ 4°35 SW. light Good. OCTOBER. 16th Larks os) EGO - a Starlings 50-60] Bo posmon Tree-Sparrow | taken being sw.mod. Low. (P. montanus) } on passage Sparrow-Hawk... I from port. 18th Redwing 2 55° 10’ 4°20’ W. fresh Good. Igth Starling ... 4 ) Redwing 3b §6°x’ 4° an’ S.W. light Good. Chaffinch I | zoth Sparrow-Hawk ... I ) Starling ... 4 » (85° 00" 4° 30° W. fresh Good. Chaffinch I | 21st Redwing et Carrion-Crow I ee Re : Starling ... 6 j 54° 00’ 2°15’ W. light Good. Chaffinch 4 oth Redwin I ee ae Aer 3 Pawn. Es \ 56° 00’ 4° 40’ N. fresh Good. NOVEMBER. net Starling ... 100-150 ) Golden-crested + 55°40’ 4°30’ Calm Good. Wren (FR. vegulus) 1 2nd Bramblin ‘ I ag oar Starling a ei \ 54° 45’ 4°20’ S.W. fresh. Good. 3rd Jackdaw a | eke Roce Doky Starling ... gf 38 35° 4°90 W. fresh Mod. 4th (a ree 10 55° 40’ 4°20’ S.W. gale Mod. 6th do. 4 55° 25’ 4°00’ W. mod. Mod. 7th dor i. iyo) 55° 30’ 3° 40’ S.W. mod. Good. 16th GE. ans due, EF 55° 10’ 4° 10’ N.byW.light Good. DECEMBER. 25th Little Stint (C. minuta) 1 54°25’ 3°50’ S.W. gale Mod. I Dunlin Total species observed in 1929 ... 30 60 & 2 / (2) / ve a 36h Psnena d /s. felt aco LE : S ie $ Fbiris oN ol os B® Orkney /s \ \ See = 120 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOL. 2oxivem TAY Chart to show the area over which the observations were made, 7.e., that enclosed by the broken line. The bulk of them, however, were made in the southern area of the Dogger Bank, enclosed by an unbroken line. (121) SOME FURTHER NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF BARDSEY ISLAND. BY W. WILSON. (fHESE notes were made on two visits to Bardsey Island, one of three days at Easter by G. H. Emerson and his two brothers, vand one from June 16th to June 25th, 1930, by G. H. Emerson and myself, and are supplementary to the paper by Dr. N. F. 'Ticehurst in Vol. XIII. RAVEN (Corvus c. corax).—A pair nested near the Peregrine, ‘the nest being built on a small ledge of a cliff a little way ‘down from the top of the mountain. The young had flown ‘by June, but three or four birds were frequently seen together. CuouGcH (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).—In April two pairs were seen. The nesting-place of one pair was located and ithe birds seen near a partly built nest. In June the nest appeared to be finished, but no sight of the birds was obtained. The nest of the second pair was not located, but on several ‘occasions the presence of a solitary bird seemed to indicate ‘that the other was on the nest. CoRN-BUNTING (Emberiza c. calandra).—I only saw one and, although they were nesting in every field in 1913, it is impossible that we could have missed them, as we were ‘through some of the fields at least once a day. SkKyY-LarK (Alauda a. arvensis).—Not previously recorded. ~Several pairs were nesting in the cornfields near the landing- place. CoMMON WHITETHROAT (Sylvia c. communts).—A pair or ‘two appear to have nested in some years, but none in 1913. ‘We found them numerous in June, five or six pairs being ‘located. WHEATEAR (CEnanthe @. enanthe).—Seen in April, and a ‘nest with eggs found in June. This was the only nest that we could discover and no other birds were seen. PEREGRINE FALcon (Falco p. peregrinus).—One pair nested on a ledge near the top of the mountain, on the east side. Four eggs were laid at the end of April; these were unfor- tunately taken and the birds left the island, only one being seen passing over in June. KESTREL (Falco t. tinnunculus).—One bird frequented the mountain all the time we were there in June, but no sign of a nest was seen. SHAG (Phalacrocorax a. aristotelis)—This bird has not pre- viously been definitely recorded as breeding. We found 122 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx1y. twenty pairs divided into three little colonies on the east side All the nests contained young several weeks old, whilst on the neighbouring island we found several Cormorants’ (Ph, ¢. carbo) nests with fresh eggs. MANX SHEARWATER (Puffinus p. puffinus).—Although it is impossible to give an idea of the numbers, there must be thousands of them; they nest almost everywhere on the island, birds and eggs being found in rabbit holes by the lighthouse, and in holes in the walls dividing the fields, also on the island side of the mountain, but the seaward side is their chief stronghold and, in 1913, this was their only breeding-place, so that they have extended their range and numbers considerably. Mr. Lockley (Vol. XXIII., p. 211) states that the red light of the Lighthouse on Skokholm does not attract them; the white one on Bardsey does, and manyare killed at the lantern. COMMON SNIPE (Capella g. gallinago).—A pair were seen and heard bleating in June and I think nest near a small stream in a rush-grown field. The lighthouse keepers say they do, but we did not find the nest. GuLLS.—They were nesting on the N.E. side of the island where the steep grass slope of the mountain ceases and it is rocky for about fifty feet to the water’s edge. The vast majority were Herring-Gulls (Larus argentatus), there being only one pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus f. graellsi) to about a hundred of the former. We never found a nest of the Lesser Black-backed among the Herring-Gulls, one or two pairs placing their nests apart on some separate rock. This species has not been recorded as having nested on the island before. JI found four nests: two on one large rock and two on another about 100 yards away. In all cases I watched the birds on to the eggs. We have usually found them later than the Herring-Gulls, but here they all seemed to hatch together. About June 2oth, whilst on a neighbouring island, we found eggs just chipping and the Herring-Gulls half-grown. We did not find the Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) breeding on Bardsey, but several were seen and we found them nesting on a neighbouring island. In 1913 at least two pairs nested. SOUTHERN PUFFIN (Fratercula a. grabe).—It has been stated that the Puffin breeds on Bardsey. This was certainly not the case this year, not a single bird being seen. They nested in hundreds on Gull Island in Aberdaron Bay, two miles away. ‘OL. XxIV.| BIRDS OF BARDSEY ISLAND. 123 LANnD-Ratt (Cyex crex).—Three or four pairs nesting. This \ppears to be half the number recorded in 1913. The Pied Wagtail (Motacilla a. yarrellit), Sedge-Warbler ‘Acrocephalus schenobenus), Mistle-Thrush (Turdus v, visct- torus), Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa s. striata), Robin ‘Erithacus rv. melophilus), Chaffinch (Fringilla c. celebs) and Moorhen (Gallinula ch. chloropus) have all been recorded, all as single pairs in some years, with the exception of the Sedge- Warbler, of which about eight pairs nested in 1913. We ‘lid not find any of them, but we may have missed the Sedge- Warblers, as the little patches which they frequent were mot thoroughly searched. Other birds seen were Carrion- } row (Corvus c. corone), Jackdaw (Coleus m. spermologus), Starling (Sturnus v. vulgaris), Meadow-Pipit (Anthus pratensis), ock Pipit (A. s. petrosus), Blackbird (Turdus m. merula), Aedge-Sparrow (Prunella m. occidentalis), Linnet (Carduelis *. cannabina), House-Sparrow (Passer d. domesticus), Wren Troglodytes t. troglodytes), Stonechat (Saxicola t. hibernans), Swallow (Hirundo r. rustica), Swift (Apus a. apus), Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus), Common Heron (Ardea cinerea), Oyster- vatcher (Hematopus o. ostralegus), Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), WRedshank (Tringa totanus), Curlew (Numenius a. arquata), "Razorbill (Alca torda) and Guillemot (Uria aalge albionis), but their status was found not to have altered since 1913. NOTICE TO RINGERS. d “ RINGERS”’ are particularly requested to send in their schedules and lists of numbers of each species ringed without delay. These are not only required for the Annual Report, but as recovered birds are now being reported daily, much trouble will be avoided if the schedules are sent in promptly.— H.F.W, INCUBATION- AND FLEDGING-PERIODS OF SOME BRITISH BIRDS. THE following incubation- and fledging-periods were obtained, ‘A’ in east Fife, and ‘B’ in the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1927, 1928, and 1930. The period of incubation has in each case been calculated from the day on which the last egg was laid until the day or days of hatching, and the fledging-period from then until the day or days of departure from the nest. Incuba- Fledging- Total! Period of No. of No. of tion - period in in year of eggs in young ~ Species. period days. days, observa- clutch, to leave in days. tion, nest, B LESSER REDPOLL (C. 1. cabaret) 10 10-12 22 May—June 5 5 A YELLOW BUNTING (E. c. cityinella) 10 14 24 July-August 3 3 A do.* ey LZ 10 22 August 4 2 A SonG-THRUSH (T. ph. clarkei) 13 — — March-April 4 —- A do. ..» I4-15 _ — April 3 = A do. eo 14-15 — April-May 3 3 B do. we 12-14 — May—June 6 5 B do. ... 13-14 13-14 27 May—June 4 4 B do. is. LQ=04 T1012, 25 June 4 4 A BLACKBIRD (T. m. merula) 14-15 ae — April 4 ae A do. so» 14-17 -- —- April 3 = A do.t ee ee 13 26 April 3 a A DipPER (C. c. gulavis) ... 16-17 — — March-April 4 — A StTocK-DovE (C. @nas) 16-17. 18-20 36 March—April 2 2 A JACKDAW (C. m. spermologus) 17-18 a — April-May 4 4 A STARLING (S. v. vulgaris) 12 — — April-May a (*) Nest begun seven days before first egg laid. (+) Nest begun nine days before first egg laid. W. J. EGGELING. A. H. EGGELING:; OL. XXIV.] NOTES. 125 NESTLINGS CAUGHT IN NEST-LINING. /1rH reference to the note by Messrs. Oakes and Battersby mtea, p. 103) three similar incidents of Chaffinches (Fringilla _ celebs) being caught in nest-lining have come under my ‘otice, but the percentage out of nests observed.would not eccount for any heavy mortality, from this cause, In my istrict. In 1929, I found two nearly fledged Hedge-Sparrows 'Prunella m. occidentalis) dead in the nest. Both legs of the aestlings were hopelessly entangled among the materials. ‘n the same year I found an adult Hedge-Sparrow hanging strangled by a long strand of black cotton that it was taking or lining. In 1928, two young Song-Thrushes (Turdus ph. clarket) ‘lied in the nest from their exertions to extricate their legs, that 1ad penetrated the mud-lining and were interwoven among the dry grasses below. In 1925, I released a fully-grown Greenfinch (Chloris ch. chloris) from a nest from which the other nestlings had long down. The claws of one leg were protruding from the base eof the nest and the leg was greatly swollen. The bird seemed ‘healthy and flew strongly out of sight. One might expect such occurrences to be frequent among 'Robins, since the nests are hair-lined, but I have no record of one. B. H. Ryves. CROSSBILLS EATING APPLES. ‘On August 2Ist, 1930, in company with Mr. Packer, in his «garden in the Barrows, Cheddar, I was very much interested ‘In watching a pair of Crossbills (Loxta c. curvirostra) feeding ‘upon apples. The tree was a small one, and laden very ‘heavily with a small sort of apple, and the birds were tame ‘enough to allow us to approach within a few yards. They ‘fed only upon apples growing on the tree, and selected the ‘smallest of the fruit. Portions of apples were continually falling, and the ground appeared as though strewn with “chewed up’’ apple. The upper-parts of the apples ozly were attacked, the basal halves being left im sifu on the tree. The pips were extracted from every apple examined, and although we moved about beneath the tree for over half an hour the birds remained. Their actions were very parrot- like as they reached over with extended necks and split up the apple by apparently thrusting in the bill. Both birds were immature males. STANLEY LEWIS. 126 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. [In connexion with the above we have received a letter from Mons. Georges Olivier of Elbeuf, in which he states that there is a considerable and widespread invasion of Crossbills (first noticed July 14th) in the departments of Seine Inférieure, Eure and Calvados, and also in Manche and Vendée. In the first three departments the Crossbills have been doing great damage in the apple orchards. As instances of this, Mons. Olivier states that in one orchard near him there were 70 kilogrammes of apples destroyed by the Cross- bills and in another orchard to the north of Rouen 290 kilo- grammes. All the apples so attacked which Mons. Olivier has examined have had the pips extracted. Many years ago it was quite usual for Crossbills to attack apples during their visitations, and the bird was known in some districts as the “ shell-apple’’, but in the 4th edition of Yarrell (1876-1882), Vol. 2, p. 191, Newton remarked in a footnote that “‘ of late it has not often been observed feeding on apples, very possibly owing to the greatly increased growth of firs... In the days of its greatest depredations in orchards there could have been few, if any, conifers in England”’. We do not, in fact, know of any record of damage ~ to apples since 1869. We have received a few notes relating to this year’s immigra- tion of Crossbills, but we hope to receive more widespread information before publishing any account.—EDs. | A PAIR OF WAGTAILS REARING TWO CUCKOOS IN ONE SEASON. I HAVE this year, 1930, noticed an instance of a Pied Wagtail (Motacilla a. yarrellit) hatching out a Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) twice in the same season. The first nest was built under some rock plants within a few feet of our house near Virginia Water. The young Wagtails were ejected and the Cuckoo reared by the Wagtails. The same pair of Wagtails built their second nest under the roof of a shed at the back of the house and have again brought up a Cuckoo. I regret that I kept no accurate notes of the occurrences at the time. DorotHy MICHOLLS. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER’S NEST USED yiICr ay ONE YEAR BY DIFFERENT PAIRS. On June Ist, 1930, I found the nest of a Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa s. striata) in some ivy against a house at Wood- ford Green, Essex, and three young birds flew from it on or VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 127 about June 22nd. Subsequently, they were to be seen daily not far from the nest, and on July 11th I trapped and ringed both the parents. ee In the third week of July I found a Flycatcher again sitting on four eggs in the nest, and noticed that she was unringed. Observation after the young were hatched showed that neither parent bore a ring. The two young birds, when nearly ready to fly, were found on August 6th dead below the nest, and the parents were not seen again. On this date the first family was still about the garden, and both marked birds were identified. C. L. COLLENETTE. REDSTARTS FEEDING UPON ELDERBERRIES. WHILE watching a mixed party of migrants which were resting and feeding among some tall bushes in a sheltered hollow at Llanishen on August 24th, 1930, my attention was drawn to the behaviour of three Redstarts (Phenicurus ph. phenicurus), apparently all adult females, which were with them. They were perched in a dead holly close to an elderbush, and at intervals would fly to the elder and hover with flut- tering wings in front of it. With the aid of my field-glass I could plainly see them tugging at the bunches of elderberries and feeding upon the ripest. Several other members of the party, Blackcaps (Sylvia a. atricapilla), Common Whitethroats (S. c. communis), Lesser Whitethroats (S. c. curruca), Willow-Warblers (Phylloscopus t. trochilus), two or three Whinchats (Saxicola r. rubetra), and three Spotted Flycatchers (Muscicapa s. striata) perched in the holly from time to time, but although they all visited the elderbush I only definitely saw a male Blackcap eat the berries. The Redstarts and Flycatchers made constant sallies over the long grass to pick up some insect that had caught their eye, and I was interested to observe the very marked resem- blance the two species bore to each other when so engaged. Both would dive off their perch to within an inch or two of the grass-tops, skim over them with a wavering, flickering flight, and hover over the spot where they had seen their prey and either pick it up while so doing or drop to earth for an instant to secure it, afterwards returning to the perch they had just left. GEOFFREY C. S. INGRAM. EVIDENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL CHANGES IN SWALLOW POPULATION. IN 1929 I was successful in catching, during August, near 128 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV, rs Laugharne, Carmarthen, six separate pairs of adult Swallows - (Hirundo r. rustica) in small sheds or barns in which there was only one pair nesting. In August, 1930, I re-trapped these sheds, and the following is the result :— Shed (A). No birds nesting in 1930. Shed (B). A different female in 1930, but I did not catch the male. Shed (c). A different pair in 1930. Shed (p). A different pair in 1930. Shed (E). Same male as in 1929, but a different female. Shed (F). This shed was kept closed in 1930, but adjacent to it is another small shed, which was occupied by the same female as in 1929, with a different male. The results are so meagre that comment is practically useless. _ I now give some figures which seem to show that Swallows, when returning after their first winter abroad, scatter fairly widely over the district in which they were hatched. During the four years 1926-9 I ringed, near Laugharne, about 600 nestling Swallows, and in the four years 1927-30 I caught 52 adults ; of these 52, only one had been ringed as a nestling. ° Corresponding figures for Wheatears (enanthe @. cenanthe) suggest a much closer return to their birthplaces: during the five years 1922-6 I ringed near Seaford, Sussex, about 280 nestling Wheatears, and in the five years 1923-7 I caught 36 adults; of these 36, no fewer than 6 had been ringed as nestlings. : J. F. Tomas SIZE OF SWALLOW BROODS IN CARMARTHENSHIRE DURING AUGUST. BELOW are given figures showing the average size of broods of Swallows (Hirundo r. rustica) whose nests I have visited during August, 1930, in the neighbourhood of Lamhe The years 1924-9 are also shown for comparison. ; No. of nests Average Percentage. visited. brood. Five or more.* 1924 sod ae 24 3.96 29.2 1925 diss a 40 3.90 30.0 1926 a e 45 4.04 26.7 1927 an a 4I 3.90 30.6 1928 oe eet 32 2.34 62 1929 a see 45 3.96 33-3 1930 alee ee 36 4.06 30.2 * In 1930 for the first time I found a brood of six in August. VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 129 There is a remarkable constancy about the average brood, with the exception of the one bad year, 1928. J. F. Tomas. SWALLOW‘S UNUSUAL NESTING SITE. In B.B., Vol. XVIL., p. 109, I recorded a nest of a Swallow (Hirundo r. rustica) made without mud ; this was inside the thatched roof of a shed. On August 16th, 1930, near Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, I found a nest only 18 inches from the ground, in a crevice amongst a heap of some twenty stone slabs leaning against a wall. The nest, which was an untidy mass of hay and feathers, without mud, contained two dead young ones (age about sixteen days), while a third, alive, but rather weak, was perched just outside. The nest was inside a barn, where there were two other pairs nesting, and there seemed to be a good deal of discord among the adult Swallows there. J. F. THOMAS. SWIFT ROOSTING IN A TREE. On September t2th, 1930, a single Swift (Apus a. apus) flew to my island at Hickling, Norfolk, at 7.20 p.m. It circled round the willow-trees there three times, each time turning over in the air and making a noise with its wings much like that made by a Lapwing. Then it alighted on a very thin twig and immediately went to sleep. It was still asleep at 7.15 the next morning, but had gone by 7.45. I did not see it leave. On the 12th there was heavy rain most of the day and a strong N.E. wind. E. L. TURNER. GREEN WOODPECKER IN WEST ROSS-SHIRE. ON June 26th, 1930, I was walking in a large pine-wood on the slope of a hill on the borders of Loch Duich in west Ross- shire, when I heard the “ laugh’”’ of a Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis). Then I caught a glimpse of it through the trees and heard it again twice. My friend, who was a little way off, also distinctly heard it. As I believe there are very few records of this bird for the Highlands, it is perhaps as well to state that there are a great many Green Woodpeckers round my house in Norfolk, and consequently that I am very familiar with the bird. M. BARCLAY. [There have been several records of Green Woodpeckers in Perthshire in recent years and the bird is, no doubt, breeding K 130 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. there in small numbers, but that one should be seen in June in west Ross-shire is very remarkable.—EDs. ] A FURTHER NOTE ON DOUBLE BROODING OF THE NIGHTJAR. This summer (1930) I was able to observe the Nightjar (Caprimulgus eu. europeus) in the same locality as in previous years (antea, Vol. XXIII., pp. 242-5), and have to thank Messrs. R. M. Garnett and C. C. Lack for helping me to watch the nests. Three nests were found at which the male brooded the young when they were about twelve days old. The respective second-brood nests were found in two cases, and were one hundred and one hundred and sixty paces from their first nests. In one case, on the day that the male first brooded the young, the female was found roosting on the spot where she laid her first egg the next day. At the other nest there was also a day’s interval between the male first brooding the chicks and the laying of the first egg of the second brood. In my original article I suggested that the female did not leave her first brood until ready to lay again, for this was what happened in captivity. But in the latter | case the enforced proximity of the female to the first brood probably accounted for her brooding them an extra day ; the young tried to creep under her even after she had laid. I also gave a possible case in the wild state of a female laying her first egg on the same day that she left her young. But here I was unable to watch in the evening to determine if the nests belonged to the same pair. The Nightjars in a given locality tend to lay at about the same time, so that it is not unlikely that two pairs were concerned in the last case. The third nest found this year was exceptional. The male brooded the young at the expected time, and on the same and the following day the female was flushed about forty yards away. She evidently failed to lay, for after the two days she returned to the first brood, and for the next six days the male brooded one chick, the female the other. In this case the second nest would presumably have been only forty yards from the first. This is probably a more typical distance than the two others recorded above. In the latter there was a scarcity of suitable nesting sites, save in the immediate neighbourhood of the nests or rather far off. At a fourth nest this year the young hatched on July 2nd and 4th. No second brood followed. At two nests in 1928 in which the young hatched in the first week of July there z = VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 131 was also no second brood. These nests were too early for second broods and seem too late for normal first broods. Probably they had been laid after destroyed first attempts. In my original article I gave an instance where such a late nest was followed by a second brood, but this is probably abnormal. Davip L. Lack. GREENLAND FALCON IN INVERNESS-SHIRE. IN the first week in April, 1930, at the head of the stream on the River Findhorn, the head-keepers of Glenkirk and Balla- crochan Moors saw a white Hawk with dark wing-tips, which was undoubtedly a Greenland Falcon (Falco rusticolus candicans). It was on a wire fence, and was either resting, or was attracted by a Black-backed Gull which was in a trap near by. There had been very heavy gales prior to the day on which it was seen. The keepers approached to within roo yards, and left it unmolested. It then flew down the stream, flying like a Peregrine somewhat, and was not seen again. One of the keepers, L. Rose, had seen a similar Falcon more than twenty years ago and he is also acquainted with a stuffed specimen. H. C. R. GIr_Man. OSPREY IN CUMBERLAND. I was at Keswick on August 31st, 1930, and saw what was undoubtedly an Osprey (Pandion halietus). It was fully a mile away from any considerable stretch of water, and made its way towards Skiddaw. Although I am not familiar with the bird, the white underparts, dark back and general build and flight made it unmistakable. D. F. Jopson. LITTLE EGRET IN DEVONSHIRE. On August Ist and 2nd, 1930, by the river Axe opposite to Axmouth, Devon, Mr. J. V. Worthington saw a small, white Heron, somewhat similar to the immature Buff-backed Heron which frequented the meadows near Axminster for so many weeks in June and July, 1930, and which was proved to be an escaped bird, but obviously distinguished from it by having black legs and a black and much longer beak. He took it to be a Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and wrote to me to that effect. The Rev. F. L. Blathwayt and I, together with Mr. Wor- thington, watched this bird for half an hour on August 7th, and we are completely satisfied that the identification is correct. The whole plumage was white, the legs long and 132 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL, XXIV. black, the beak long, pointed, and practically black. The crest was short and the plumes on the mantle were scanty, the wings broad and the flight rather heavy. We think the bird was either an adult in moult or immature. Also, from its restless and shy behaviour—flying up and down the river, or settling for a few moments in different places—we believe it to be a genuinely wild bird and not an “escape”. As to this latter possibility, my enquiries so far have met with a negative result. This Little Egret, then, if acknowledged as a wild bird, is the second definite record for this country, and also for Devon, the only other admitted by the Practical Handbook as “thoroughly authentic”’, having occurred near Exeter, Devon, on June 3rd, 1870. W. WALMESLEY WHITE. (Unfortunately, it is difficult to accept as a genuinely wild example any record of such birds as Herons, Cranes and some of the rarer ducks. So many people keep these birds and either give them their liberty intentionally or allow them to escape, that it is becoming a frequent occurrence for such birds to be observed and recorded by ornithologists in the | belief that they are wild. Moreover, birds are now imported and kept in such good condition that it is often impossible to judge by their appearance or actions whether they are wild or not. A notable example of this was a Flamingo which was observed to come down at Beaulieu, Hampshire, from a great height and acted in all respects as a very wild bird, being hunted unsuccessfully by gunners for a whole winter, yet this bird was shown to have escaped from captivity (antea, Vol. XX., pp. 156 and 228).—EDs.] SIZE OF CLUTCHES IN SANDWICH TERN. For several seasons I have visited an _ ever increasing Lancashire colony of Sandwich Terns (Sterna s. sandvicensis), but until this year I have not been able to count the clutches as the young were mostly hatched when I visited the place. The following numbers of ringed give an indication of the growth of the colony : .1920, 31; 1921, 30; 1022, 775 T0235) 64; 1924, 92; 1925, 117; 1926, 63> 10927, 120; TozZ6.aes 1929, 399; 1930, 535 to date. On June Ist, 1930, when the above-mentioned colony had young, another colony in the neighbourhood had only eggs. This colony was started last year with about fifteen nests, of which the greater number contained but one egg, but this year there were three of three, one hundred and eighteen VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 133 of two, and only forty with one egg. Others have been deposited since, even as late as July 2nd, when all the young in the old colony had flown. The old colony, consisting of the main colony with three offshoots close to, is situated among Black-headed Gulls, the eggs of the two species being within a few inches of one another. The new colony is situated on grassy and sandy patches on a gravel bed, with a small colony of Arctic Terns within a few feet, and many nests of Common Terns all around. Last year the number of unfertile eggs was remarkable, which is not the case this year, unless many of the eggs remaining in this new colony fail to hatch. H. W. ROBINSON. WHITE STARLING IN EssEx.—Mr. R. E. J. Edwards reports that on August roth, 1930, he saw a White Starling (Sturnus v. vulgaris) feeding and flying in company with a small flock of normally coloured birds on Mersea Island. COMMON SCOTER INLAND IN LANCASHIRE.—Mr. Clifford Oakes writes that on August 31st, 1930, he watched an adult male Oidemia nigra on the Ribble between Eddisford Bridge and Mytton. CENSUS OF HERONRIES.—Correction.—Mr. W. E. Glegg informs us that he has ascertained from Mr. C. H. Row that the nest at Bulmer, placed under Suffolk in Mr. Nicholson’s “Supplementary Report’”’ (antea, Vol. XXIII., p. 328), is actually in Essex. OYSTERCATCHER NESTING IN KENT.—With reference to the note on this subject (antea, Vol. XXIII., p. 278) Mr. L. H. Dagley informs us that he again found a nest of the Oyster- catcher (H@matopus o. ostralegus) in the same neighbourhood of Sandwich on June gth, 1930. BLack TERNS IN SURREY AND WILTSHIRE.—Mr. E. L. King states that on April 30th, 1930, he saw a Black Tern (Chlidonias n. niger), in breeding-plumage, at the Barn Elms reservoirs, and that on August 2nd, at the same place, he watched for over an hour four immature birds of the same species, and on September 13th saw two adults there. The same observer saw an immature Black Tern flying over Wilton Water, near Savernake, on September 6th. 134 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV BLACK TERNS IN WORCESTERSHIRE.—Mr. E. St. George Betts reports that in the evening of August 2nd, 1930, two Black Terns (Chlidonias n. niger) were hawking over the Upper Bittell reservoir, near Barnt Green. Three Common, or Arctic, Terns, were present also. All five had gone the next morning. LITTLE TERN NESTING IN KENT.—Mr. L. H. Dagley informs us that the Little Tern (Sterna a. albifrons) nested on the stretch of shore between Sandwich and Deal this season. In June he found five nests, and from the number of birds seen considered there were about six or seven breeding pairs. REVIEWS. British Birds. By F. B. Kirkman and F. C. R. Jourdain. 4to. TC. and EC. Jacks otc: ezms amet. Tuts book consists of 200 coloured plates, on the back of each being printed details concerning the bird or birds depicted in the plate facing it. There are 179 plates of birds, representing 227 species, and 21 plates of eggs. These plates are from the British Bird Book, published 1910-1913, and are for the most part excellent pictures of the adults of the species represented. The majority are by Mr. A. W. Seaby, and we wish that we might see more of his bird-drawings as they are not only good likenesses but also good pictures. Mr. Gronvold is responsible for the plates of eggs, which are quite good. The letterpress consists of a very brief description, a short general account of range and habitat, details of the nest and eggs and food, and a paragraph on “ usual Notes.’’ All this seems to be very carefully done, and the information given may certainly be relied upon. As not more than one page is allotted to each species the matter is necessarily brief, and when two or three species have to be described on the single page a smaller type has been used. Most of the rarer visitors are omitted and where there are two or more subspecies they are grouped together. The book is thus rather an unusual combination, the plates being large, while the letterpress, very useful and reliable so far as it goes, 1S more adapted for a pocket book. This combination, however, should suit a good many. The Rookeries of the Oxford District; A Pyreliminarvy Report. By E. M. and B. D. Nicholson—Journal of Ecology, Vol. XVIIL., 1930, pp. 51-66. Tuts valuable paper on the ecology of the Rook (Corvus f. frugilegus), representing what it is not too much to describe as almost a pioneer effort in this country in the field with which it is concerned, deserves the careful attention of all ornithologists—happily now an increasing number—who realize or are beginning to realize the urgent need for intensive studies of this nature if any real insight is to be gained into the life of birds. VOL. XXIV. ] REVIEWS. 135 The investigation was carried out as part of the co-operative field- work of the Oxford Ornithological Society, but the credit for the organization and the admirable working up of the results and conclu- sions rests, as the reviewer is in a position to testify, entirely with the authors. The survey covered 224 square miles of the country round Oxford, including a fair variety of ground, “ ranging geologically from lias to alluvium and agriculturally from the great unenclosed plough- lands about Chalgrove to the pasture and hay of the Thames Valley and the minor afforested areas of Tubney and Bagley Woods’’. All the rookeries in this area were located and mapped while the trees were bare, the country being worked systematically on the basis of the squares of the r-inch Ordnance Survey, and from mid-March it was possible to concentrate on the actual counting of nests. _ The number of nests at the height of the breeding-season is taken as representing the number of pairs in the rookery, no indications being found of the existence of any significant number of non-breeding birds, while the blowing out of nests during a rough winter like that of 1927-8, combined with the plundering of any unoccupied ones for building material, is considered to result in the numbers of nests extant during the breeding-season and of those actually occupied being for practical purposes substantially the same. Clearly some such assump- tion has to be made in a census of this sort, and in the present case it was based on sound observational grounds, but we should welcome further evidence as to how far it can be accepted as a safe basis for similar work in other circumstances and places. Within the necessary limits of a review like the present, it is scarcely possible to do justice to the wealth of interesting data which the paper contains, and only some of the more salient points can be indicated. 6,733 nests were recorded, from 1o1 sites, the number at each ranging from 683 in one instance to a few cases of solitary nests. This gives an average of 66.66 nests per site. We doubt, however, whether the arithmetical average in a case like this means very much and may venture to suggest that the modal number, or in other words, the commonest size for a rookery, which is here something between ten and fifty nests, is more significant. The authors emphasize that the conclusions which they draw from this single survey must necessarily be tentative and subject to con- firmation or the reverse by future work, but nevertheless they are interesting and suggestive. The distribution of rookeries in the area proves to be far from uniform. ‘‘ On the contrary they form groups or straggling lines, as if they had radiated from various centres of dispersal within the limits imposed by circumstances, advancing very slowly and leaving large areas uncolonized.’’ Suitable breeding-sites abound, and evidently food supply is the main limiting factor in determining the local range. A marked preference is shown for river levels, the large majority of nesting-sites being on or close to one of the rivers or larger streams, but the preference does not extend to all river levels equally, and the geological formation, acting, no doubt, indirectly through the fauna and flora, would appear to be a further factor. The results of the survey suggest that the Oxford and to a less extent the Kimmeridge Clay, with the Portland Beds and Shotover Sands, are distinctly repugnant to Rooks for foraging purposes. Reference is made to data obtained concerning the prevalence of gape-worms (Syngamus) in Rooks (cf. Elton and Buckland— Parasitology, Vol. XX., 1928, pp. 448-50), a fact evidently of some 136 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. x importance, both on the biological side, since it may operate in some measure as a natural check on numbers, and on the economic, since Rooks may assist in spreading the parasite amongst poultry. Some data are also recorded concerning several species of birds which may be regarded as directly or indirectly competing with the Rook in the Oxford area. Some evidence is found that abundance of Jackdaws is unfavourable to Rooks, and there is some indication of a certain degree of mutual exclusiveness between the Rook and the Lapwing owing to friction on the breeding-grounds of the latter, Some facts are also given concerning the local distribution of the Carrion-Crow, but this differs too much in its feeding-habits and is, in any case, too scarce to be a serious competitor. In conclusion, the authors point out how much better the economic status of the Rook might be understood if an exhaustive and systematic investigation of the whole subject were undertaken in a single area like that of Oxford, so that a properly co-ordinated body of data could be obtained which could be used as a guide in similar work elsewhere, and they end with some suggestions and recommendations for further work. While congratulating them on this excellent preliminary report, it is satisfactory to be able to add that, largely through the senior author’s efforts, there now appears a good prospect of work in economic and ecological ornithology being placed on a permanent and properly financed basis at Oxford, so that further communications on the Rook investigations may be expected in due course. B. W. TUCKER. The Heron (Ardea cinerea) in Somerset. By B. W. Tucker, M.A., M.B.O.U, Proc. Somerset Aych. & Nat. Hist. Soc., LX XV. (1929), pp. 61-90. Ir was in Somerset in 1918 that the late Dr. Wiglesworth undertook the first local survey of heronries to reach a high standard of accuracy and completeness. The fact that Mr. Tucker is able to include two colonies of long standing which his predecessor had missed, beside others lately founded, is a fair indication of the further advance which has since been made. This new survey, based largely on the mass of data gathered by its writer as county organizer of the British Birds Census of Heronries in 1928, with many subsequent additions, is able not only to list and describe the occupied and vacant or extinct sites, with some details regarding their history and references to literature, but also to give a commentary based on first-hand knowledge which must prove of the utmost importance to future students. In Part II., to be published next year, treatment of the ecological aspect and general conclusions will complete a contribution which promises to become a model for investigators in this field. Owing to the generosity with which Mr. Tucker has put his material at the disposal of the British Birds Census, his paper holds no surprises in the matter of unrecorded sites, but observers in all parts will find much interesting information which only a county survey based on intimate knowledge scientifically handled can supply. It may be recalled that Norfolk, Sussex and Somerset were the counties singled out in the British Birds Report (antea, Vol. XXII., p. 367) as particu- larly profitable for more detailed work; this admirable study is the more welcome because it fills an obvious need. That Book you want! Foyles hold a considerable stock of Second-hand Books on Ornithology, and can supply any Scientific Book that is in print and most of those that are cut of print. They have a Special Department for this class of literature under a Manager who has experience and knowledge of the Natural Sciences. Call and consult him, or write asking for Catalogue 637. Books sent on approval. Special Offer of a set of “BRITISH BIRDS,” Vols. 1 to 20, for the years 1907 to 1927, with index to first 12 Vols. Offered in good condition £15. Quote Offer 637. FOYLES, | 19-125 Charing Cross Rd.,London,W.C.2 THE NATURALIST A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England. Edited by T. SHEPPARD, M.Sc., F.Z.S., F.G.S., The Museum, Hull, and T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., oar ee Tolson Memorial Museum, uddersfield. With the assistance, as Referees in Special Departments, of John W. Taylor, M.Sc; Riley Fortune, F.Z.S. All communications to be addressed to:— THE EDITORS, “THE NATURALIST ’’, THE MUSEUM, HULL. Annual Subscription, 15s. Single Numbers, Is. 6d. net. London: A. Brown & Sons, Ltd., 5 Farringdon Avenue, E.C.4. WATKINS & DONCASTER Manufacture and Stock CABINETS and APPARATUS of every kind for Collectors of Birds’ Eggs, Insects, &c. A LARGE STOCK OF BIRDS’ EGGS (Singles and Sets) and BRITISH and EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES, Ga. NESTING BOXES OF VARIOUS PATTERNS. PriceD CATALOGUE OF APPARATUS AND SPECIMENS PER RETURN All Books and Publications (new and second-hand) on Natural History supplied P.O. Box 126, Telephone: Temple Bar 9451. 36, Strand, London, W.C.2, England STEVENS’S AUCTION ROOMS, LTD. ESTD. 1760. 38, King Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C.2. Periodical Sales are held at the above Rooms, of NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS, including BIRDS and BIRDS’ EGGS, CABINETS, etc. Also BOOKS relating to Natural History, Catalogues of sales posted on application. (@™ Special Offer to Subscribers in Advance closes October 15th a = Ve < A HISTORY OF THE | BIRDS OF NORFOLK By B. B. RIVIERE, F.R.CS., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U. Over 300 pages. Frontispiece by J. C. Harrison and 15 Photographic Plates, 2 Maps. Demy 8vo. Gilt Top. 21S. net. ae After publication (October 15th, 1930) the price will be | . raised to 25s. net . a ORFOLK, with its broads, brecks, fens and long coast- | line, has long been famous for its birds. Residents in Norfolk have always taken great interest in their birds, and this interest in recent years has been | intensified by the return of the Bittern as a breeding species; by the increase in such birds as Harriers and Sandwich Terns, and the frequent visits of Spoonbills, Avocets, Black Terns and other scarce visitors. Since the time of Stevenson, whose book on The Birds of Norfolk, commenced sixty years ago and was completed in 1890 by Southwell, many changes have occurred in the status of birds, while new species and subspecies have been added to the Norfolk list. In the present book, which is the result of many years of observation and critical study, Mr. Riviére gives an up-to- date history of each species. Among the features of the book may be mentioned full data of rare stragglers; condensed but detailed histories of such birds as the Great Bustard, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Black Tern, etc., which formerly bred in the county; particular accounts of the breeding habits of such birds as the Bittern, Bearded Tit and Harriers; details of the largest bags made in Norfolk of various ducks, snipe, woodcock and partridge. Migration is treated under each species as well as in a special section. H. F. & G. WITHERBY, 326, High Holborn, London. | Full prospectus with specimen plate post free on application. DRUISH BIRDS ANIEUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY TOTHEBIRDS ss ONTHEBRIDSH UST MONTHLY: 1s9a4 YEARLY:-20:s. ‘326HIGH HOLBORNIZENDON:- THtFéG-WITHERBY. AN IDEAL XMAS PRESENT. BRITISH” BIRDS F. B. KIRKMAN = FE. c R. JOURDAIN. An unrivalled series “ie”, lates in colour by leading bird artists. The text fely new and gives in a compact and convenient m all the information necessary to identify every British species (except the rare occasional visitors), its nest, its eggs, its utterances. 21/- net. ‘* All this seems to be very carefully done, and the information given may certainly be relied upon.”—BRITISH BIRDS. ** None of our bird books has ever been backed by a more impressive grasp of the material or moulded by a more scientific handling of it’ —E. M. NICHOLSON in the WEEK-END REVIEW. Prospectus post free from Parkside Works, Edinburgh. THOMAS NELSON & SONS, LTD. (Incorp. T. C. & E. C. JACK, LTD.) Q Gataloque of Birds GIVING THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN THE WESTERN | PORTION OF THE PALZARCTIC REGION. (WITH A BIBLIOGRAPHY) In Turee Parts, Parts I €&F II Now Reapy, 10s. Eacu,* By H. G. K. MOLINEUX. Prospectus hf specimen page, post free— E. S. Fowrer, Bookseller, 11 Gitprepce Rp., Easrpournt, ENGLAND. W. F. H. ROSENBERG 57, Haverstock Hill, London, N.W.3, England Telephone: Primrose Hill 0660 Price List of Birds of the World, including over 4,000 species, post free to readers of ‘‘ British Birds.” Every description of collecting apparatus kept in stock. Also available: Price Lists of Eggs, Mammals, Reptiles, Lepidoptera, and books on Natural History. BRITSHBIRDS WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘ THE ZOOLOGIST.” EDITED BY H. F.WITHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S.,M.B.O.U.,H.F.A.O.U, ASSISTED BY Rev. F.C. R. JouRDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.O.U., F.Z.S., AND NORMAN ‘zB, TCERRSS, 0. B.E., M.A. F-R.C.S., M.B. 0. U. CONTENTS OF NUMBER 6, VOL. XXIV., NOVEMBER I, 1930. — PAGE Our Present Knowledge of the Breeding Biology of Birds. By the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, M.A., M.B.O.U. = 138 The Spring Migration, 1930, at the Cambridge Sewage Farm. By David L. Lack vas ae ve ay ao =o 145 Notes :— Immigration of Crossbills, 1930 oi ad "oF Fats Crossbills Breeding in Surrey (T. H. Harrisson, P. A. D. Hollom) ‘ eS sa 156 Chaffinches Caught. in Nest- lining ( Tracy) wi ais 156 Large Clutch of Chaffinch’s Eggs ft Tracy) oc 157 Searce Migrants at Holy Island, Northumberland F. G. Laidlaw) ee ane 157 Reed-Bunting Sheltering ‘Young ‘from. Sun G: Owen) ... 157 Yellow-browed Warbler seen in Surrey (F. Frohawi) van 159 Size of Swallow Broods in Cheshire (A. Ww. Boyd) Te x 200 Choice of First Nesting-site by a gre (A. W. Boyd) ... 160 Fatal Collision of Swifts (Dr. N. joy) > 3 sk 161 Great Spotted Woodpecker Bre ace in Sutherland (G. KX. Yeates, M. G. Robinson and H. A. Patrick). oi 161 Tawny Owl taking Yellow Bunting (W. J. E ggeling) ri 162 Buzzard Breaking se Glass Greenhouse (Major R. O. Jourdain) . en eee aki 162 Honey-Buzzards in Kent. (Dr. J. M. Harrison and N. F. Ticehurst) ; : Pe "re oe ea 162 Ospreys in Great Britain ; 163 Nesting of Red-breasted Merganser in | Dumfriesshire (ei. S. Gladstone) ‘ : . 165 Curlew- and Green “Sandpipers in Shropshire. (J. bie ~ Owen) 165 Little Stint in Surrey (F. R. Finch) sks eS oe 166 Grey Phalarope in Surrey (F. R. Finch) nee sa _— 166 Actions of Grey Phalaropes in Somerset (E. G. Holt) dia 166 Sandwich Terns in Essex (L. Parmenter and H. A. Seren) 167 Land-Rail’s Action when Calling (N. Tracy) se | «LOY Moorhens Killing House-Martin (Howard Bentham) | pees | LOS Short Note :— Young Cuckoo Fed by Wren. Glossy Ibis in Hampshire. 168 L (138) OUR PRESENT KNOWLEDGE OF THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF BIRDS. OE BY Tue Rev. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, o.a., M.B.0.U. Hon, Memb, of American, French, German and Dutch Orn. Societies, SOME forty years have elapsed since I began to observe and collate data with regard to the incubation- and fledging- periods of our British birds, as well as the shares of the sexes in nest-building, incubation and care of the young. At that time the sum total of our knowledge on these subjects consisted of a few scattered notes in various ornithological books and periodicals, many of them based on the observa- tions of Naumann and Tiedemann copied and recopied from one author to another without verification. It is only necessary to refer to the standard English works on orni- thology, published between 1870 and 1890, such as the fourth (Newton-Saunders) edition of “ Yarrell’’, Seebohm’s British Birds and the first edition of Saunders’s Manual, to realize that this was then largely an unworked field. In 1891 the late William Evans published a valuable paper | in the Jbts (pp. 52-93) on the Incubation Periods of Birds, in which he not only gave references to previous observations, but contributed the results of a series of experimental hatchings in incubators, supplemented by a certainamount of field observation by the writer and Mr. Bruce Campbell. Some supplementary results were also published in the Jdzs for 1892, pp. 55-58. Important though these papers were, for they provided a basis of facts for future work, their scope was confined to one period in the breeding biology of the bird, and left the other points untouched. Good service was, however, done by the discrediting of various statements which had been frequently republished, although undoubtedly erroneous. From this time onward there was a lengthy period when progress was exceedingly slow, until the publica- tion of the British Bird Book (1910-13), in which a new emphasis was laid on the life-story of each bird, while in 1919-24 the Practical Handbook appeared. In both works severely condensed accounts of the “‘ breeding-habits ”’ of each species (for which I was responsible) briefly summarized what was known not only with regard to the nest and eggs, but also the incubation-period and in some cases the share of the sexes and number of broods. Needless to say, the gaps in our knowledge were innumerable, but the publication of the VOL. XxIv.] BREEDING BIOLOGY OF BIRDS. 139 results stimulated observation, and this magazine provided a convenient vehicle for the addenda et corrigenda, which at once began to accumulate. Another unforeseen result of the wide circulation of the Practical Handbook among continental ornithologists was the stimulus given to field-observation on points still obscure. Not only at home in the pages of British Birds, but also abroad, and perhaps especially in Germany, this branch of ornithological study was taken up with enthusiasm and many valuable and exhaustive papers and notes appeared in foreign literature. Sidelight from another quarter has also been provided by the wonderful work of the Heinroths in Germany in rearing the young of innumerable species in captivity from the egg and recording photographically their changes in development, thus furnish- ing opportunities for checking results already obtained and incidentally throwing light on many obscure points. In 1922 Heinroth made a rather ambitious attempt to show graphically the relation between incubation-period and egg weight in the different families of birds, as also between the weight of the bird and its egg or clutch of eggs. In the present imperfect state of our knowledge all such summaries must be provisional and subject to later revision, but it is becoming increasingly evident that the time has come for us to take stock of our results in order to ascertain where observation is most likely to be useful in future, and what modifications are necessary or desirable in our methods. First of all, let me emphasize the point that every detail in the life of the bird is of importance. For example, most valuable and interesting light is thrown on the relationship of the small passerine birds by noting the different shares of the sexes in the choice of the nesting-site and actual building and lining of the nest. We need careful observations on these points in most Cases. Let us take, for example, the Finches and Buntings. There are still a good many species concerning which we have no reliable information, but whenever one of these birds has been closely watched, it has been noticed that all the actual work of building was done by the hen, the cock accompanying her all the time. There is, however, one group which is an exception to this rule. Most people have seen male Sparrows struggling with unmanageable nesting material. Is it not somewhat significant that Sushkin has now shown that the affinities of the Sparrows lie with the Weaver Birds, rather than the typical Finches ? 140 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL, XXIV With regard to the incubation-period, some rather surprising discrepancies began to be evident in certain cases, as records accumulated. Probably in most cases these are due to the fact that the period has not always been calculated from the time when incubation actually began. Moreover, this may vary in individual birds. Most of the early observations on this point were calculated from the day on which the last egg was laid, but Dunlop called attention to the fact that many species begin to incubate with the first egg laid, or at any rate prior to the completion of the clutch. This points to a considerable margin of possible error, especially in the case of those families where the intervals between the laying of the eggs are prolonged to two and even three or more days. Of course, observations on these lines are by no means easy and necessitate very careful watching. The behaviour of one female is not necessarily typical of the whole species. An extreme instance is the case of the Barn-Owl (Tyto alba), in which some hens lay their clutches in pairs, with an interval of a week or more between each pair ot eggs and a forty-eight hour interval between the eggs of each pair. There are, however, cases in which all the eggs of © the clutch are laid at almost equal intervals, probably about forty-eight hours in each case. Where nothing is known as to the length of the incubation- period, results calculated from the laying of the last egg are still useful, but this should be definitely stated, and the time taken in hatching from the first to the last egg should be noticed, as this gives some indication as to whether incubation began before or after the completion of the clutch. It is important also to record whether any of the eggs do not hatch, as, unless marked as laid, this provides a potential source of error, for the infertile egg may possibly be the last laid. With regard to the Scotch and Irish races of passerine birds, it might at first sight seem superfluous to accumulate data on the incubation- and fledging-periods of three races of Wren in addition to the ordinary form. In nature it is always rash to take for granted that there will be no appre- ciable difference in such instances. As palpable differences are already known to exist in some cases in the eggs of sub- specific forms, it is quite possible that similar differences may also exist in these periods. At any rate, the question should be settled by observation, and at present we have practically nothing on record as to either incubation- or fledging-period of any of our local races, so that the fortunate VOL. XxIv.] BREEDING BIOLOGY OF BIRDS. 141 field-worker who has opportunities for noting these particulars in the case of the Irish Jay Scotch Crossbill Irish Coal-Tit Hebridean Thrush St. Kilda Wren Shetland Wren Hebridean Wren Irish Dipper will have the satisfaction of knowing that all such notes are really useful as filling up gaps. Among the passeres it should be noted that at present we are still without recent information as to the incubation- period of the Jay Hawfinch Tree-Sparrow Corn-Bunting Rock-Pipit Coal-Tit Crested Tit Marsh-Tit Willow-Tit Chiftchaff Wheatear Sand-Martin As may readily be seen quite a large proportion of these birds nest in covered sites, thus rendering observation difficult. It is true that in some cases there are statements in Naumann and other old authors, but these need verification. Supplementary observations on the incubation-period are also desirable in the case of the Raven Tree-Pipit Marsh-Warbler Hooded Crow Meadow-Pipit Garden-Warbler Jackdaw Yellow Wagtail Lesser Whitethroat Chough Grey Wagtail Dartford Warbler Siskin Tree-Creeper Ring-Ouzel Twite Nuthatch Whinchat Crossbill Bearded Tit Stonechat House-Sparrow Wood-Warbler Redstart Nightingale House-Martin Cirl-Bunting Wood-Lark Sky-Lark With regard to the fledging-period, we are still without any definite information in the case of the Grasshopper-Warbler Reed-Warbler Hooded Crow Coal-Tit Chiffchaff Twite Crested Tit Wood-Warbler Crossbill Marsh-Tit Lesser Whitethroat Corn-Bunting Willow-Tit Wheatear Sky-Lark Bearded Tit Sand-Martin While supplementary observations are desirable in the cases of the Raven Reed-Bunting Reed-Warbler Rook Wood-Lark Marsh-Warbler Jackdaw Tree-Pipit Garden-Warbler Jay Meadow-Pipit Dartford Warbler Chough Rock-Pipit Ring-Ouzel Hawfinch Yellow Wagtail Whinchat Siskin Grey Wagtail Redstart House-Sparrow(!) Nuthatch Nightingale Tree-Sparrow Red-backed Shrike Dipper Corn-Bunting House-Martin Cirl-Bunting Pied Flycatcher Grasshopper-Warbler 142 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOT XXIV. Coming to the non-passerine species, we have no British records of the incubation-period in the following species :— Kingfisher Green Woodpecker Lesser Spotted Shag Fork-tailed Petrel Slavonian Grebe Whimbrel Roseate Tern Common Gull Woodpecker Black-necked Grebe Great Black-backed Barn-Owl Black-throated Diver Gull Hen-Harrier Red-throated Diver Great Skua Red Kite Dotterel Black Guillemot Garganey Kentish Plover Spotted Crake Goosander Greenshank Water-Rail Merganser Red-necked Phalarope There are also many species of which we have only scanty data, among which the following may be mentioned :— Great Spotted Storm-Petrel Woodcock Woodpecker Shearwater Arctic Tern Short-eared Owl Fulmar Herring-Gull Hobby Great Crested Grebe Lesser Black-backed Golden Eagle Little Grebe Gull Marsh-Harrier Wood-Pigeon Kittiwake Heron Stock-Dove Arctic Skua Whooper Rock-Dove Razorbill Gadwall Turtle-Dove Guillemot Wigeon Oyster-Catcher Puffin Pintail Golden Plover Corncrake Pochard Dunlin Ptarmigan Scoter Redshank Quail Cormorant In some of the above-mentioned species we have informa- tion available from continental sources. Thus the Black- throated Diver’s incubation-period has been observed in Sweden, but no notes have been taken in the British Isles. When we come to the consideration of the fledging-period of non-passerine birds we are faced with special difficulties in the orders Anseres and Pygopodes, which leave the nest at a very early stage and take to the water. Similar difficulties attend the definition of the fledging-period of the Limicole, Rallidee and Galli, which leave the nest as soon as their down is dry, and to some extent also with the Lari, though the movements of the young are more restricted in this family, and in some cases where the breeding-ground is not extensive the difficulties might be overcome by systematic ringing and daily observation. In the other orders it should be noted that we have no data from British sources on the fledging-period of the following species :— | Green Woodpecker Red Kite Fulmar Lesser Spotted Heron Turtle-Dove Woodpecker Shag Guillemot Hen-Harrier 'Fork-tailed Petrel VOL. XxIV.] BREEDING BIOLOGY OF BIRDS. 143 In the orders previously mentioned we have only a few approximate estimates, and only in the case of some of the Striges and Accipitres and a few isolated species of other orders such as the Swift, Nightjar, Kingfisher(1), Shearwater, Moorhen and Coot, have we a few more or less definite estimates. It is evident that here avicultural observations would form useful checks and at any rate provide us with an approach to the facts under natural conditions. One point which has not yet been mentioned is the share of the sexes in incubation. Here we can only hope to reach finality by slow degrees. If, for example, the male only relieves the female for short intervals during the day, it is quite possible to visit a nest several times daily during the incubation-period and yet to overlook the share of the male altogether. It has been stated that in some genera (e.g., Picus) the male incubates at night and the female by day. As nearly all our observations are made during the day, here is another possible chance of error in observation. In many species the sexual distinctions are so slight that it is practi- cally impossible to distinguish them in the field, while in others (and especially among the Limicola) the female has frequently been mistaken for the male. I would appeal to all readers who send notes on incubation- periods in future to state definitely from what point the period is calculated, and also whether the young were all hatched on the same day or not. Where the sexes are distinguishable it is always advisable to note at the time the sex of the incubating bird, and the “change over’’ is evidence that both sexes are taking part even when the sexes cannot be distinguished by the observer. Such notes may not be of sufficient importance to warrant publication and yet may serve a very useful purpose when taken in conjunction with large numbers of reports from other sources. Finally, there are two points on which I should like to focus observation. G. Stein, from observations in Germany, is of opinion that in the case of the Common Sandpiper (ITvinga hypoleucos) incubation is carried on, chiefly at any rate, and probably entirely, by the male bird. This is based mainly on the notes of the bird flushed from the eggs. Apparently the male also takes charge of the young. Schenk - has furnished confirmation of this by recording males fairly frequently obtained from the eggs. Residents in northern 144 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. England should have many opportunities of testing this statement. As far back as 1924 M. Portal (Brit. Birds, Vol. XVIL., p. 315) furnished evidence that the hen Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris r. rufa) lays two clutches of eggs, one of which is incubated and reared by the cock, while the hen takes charge of the other. The article should be carefully read, and notes on the number of eggs in the clutch, whether both parents are ever to be met with accompanying the young birds, or whether each tends a separate brood, would be of considerable interest. The only published comment (except- ing a note or two in the pages of the Feld) which I have seen on the statement is a decidedly sceptical article by Otmar Reiser, yet in a few cases where I have met with newly hatched young, I could not see any sign of more than one parent. Surely among the readers of British Birds there must be many who could throw light on the question ! (145) THE SPRING MIGRATION, 1930, AT THE CAMBRIDGE SEWAGE FARM. BY DAVID L. LACK. THERE are many accounts of autumn movements of waders at inland sewage farms and reservoirs, but I can find no record of a big spring movement inland. This spring there was an extremely large passage movement at the Cambridge Sewage Farm and twenty-one species of waders were seen. Last autumn twenty-two were seen, the only other occasion of which I know when over twenty species have occurred at an inland locality during one migration. Some of the com- moner species appeared in exceptionally large numbers, and the amount of visible migration which occurred during the day also seems to have been unusually large. The observa- tions were not confined to waders but, save for the Terns, accounts of other groups are mainly of local interest and will be published in the Cambridge Ornithological Report for 1930. I include here only a few records of the less usual species. The Sewage Farm was visited on most days between March 1st and March 22nd. In the Vacation, March 22nd to April 20th, it was visited intermittently, but during this period little movement seems to have occurred. From April 20th to June 14th an average of three visits were paid each day : normally, one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Such regular visits were essential, though not always possible, as many birds stopped for a very short time. It was impossible for a single observer to do this work and I am greatly indebted to several members of the Cambridge Ornithological Club, in farticular to Messrs. C. W. Benson, A. B. Duncan, H. B. Garland and J. H. White, for their consistent help. The following is a summary of the main movements of the waders and Terns. From March 5th to March 17th Redshank and Golden Plover passed through in large numbers. From March 22nd to April 2oth there seems to have been very little passage of waders. From April 22nd to May 4th occurred a small movement of Dunlin, and on April 24th there was a passage of Terns. On the morning of May 6th there was a large movement involving Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and Terns. From May 7th to May 17th it was mainly quiet, Common Sandpiper 146 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOL. xxi passing in the earlier part. From May 18th to May 26th occurred the largest movement of the spring. Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Sanderling and Terns were the chief participants, but Turnstone, Curlew-Sandpiper, Little and Temminck’s Stint, Greenshank, Wood- and Green Sandpiper, also occurred. There was a thunderstorm at 8.30 p.m. on May 26th, and when it commenced all the waders then present left the Sewage Farm. Subsequently, only Ringed Plover continued to pass. The numbers reached a climax on June 1st but decreased rapidly after this. From June 1st to June 8th there was an arrival of birds which had not attained their full summer plumage: several Ringed Plover, five Dunlin, three Little Stint, a Sanderling, a Turnstone and a Wood-Sandpiper. Probably these birds were not going to breed, otherwise they would presumably have attained full plumage before so late a date. After June 8th Ringed Plover were the only waders passing through. There were six on June r4th, but none were left on June 2oth. This summary shows that the most favourable time at the Sewage Farm for both waders and Terns was the fourth week in May. This does not necessarily mean that the- spring migration was then at its height. The variation in the numbers of birds there probably does not depend only on the suitability of the conditions for migration. Perhaps more take an inland route at certain periods than at others. Also the number of birds at the Sewage Farm may not necessarily be proportional to the number of birds migrating over Cambridge. Under some conditions passing birds may not alight. Waders arrived and departed in small parties which sometimes consisted of more than one species. On first arriving they were usually wild, called repeatedly and, if flushed, were apt to fly on at once. They later grew tamer, but, just prior to their departure, were again in an excited state, calling and stretching their wings. Sometimes they were observed to leave of their own accord after such a display. Normally the observer had not sufficient time to wait for this, and then the act of flushing the birds often provided them with the final stimulus to resume migration. On one occasion the flushing of three Wood-Sandpipers on the next tank seemed to act in this way on a party of Ringed Plover and Dunlin, probably because the former called loudly when put up. Not necessarily did all the members of a party leave together. On one occasion I watched VOL. XxIV.] SPRING MIGRATION, 1930. 147 fourteen Ringed Plover from which, after much calling, ten got up and flew off northwards. Of these three turned aside after going a short way and returned to their feeding companions and only seven migrated out of sight. Both Common and Wood-Sandpipers performed their courtship flight and trill when passing through on migration. Certain Passerines and a few other birds sing on migration, but I was not aware before that waders did so. It is also interesting that, just prior to their resuming migration, Black Terns, Turnstone and perhaps Little Stints should utter the alarm-note of the breeding-ground. In the case of the waders the birds were not in full summer plumage and were presumably immature. Waders arrived and departed at all times of day, but none came in or left during the night, for there were always the same number present in the late evening as there were early the following morning. There was nearly always one arrival each day, but more than two were rarely noted until May 18th. From then until May 26th there were often at least three or four during the day. Even at this period the arrivals were not continuous, and intervals of an hour or more would elapse between each one. This was in contrast to the Terns, which came in on very few days during the spring, but when they did come usually arrived in a rapid succession of small parties. On May 6th there was an exceptional movement of waders; Terns and Hirundines also passed. There was continuous rain most of the morning and a mild north wind. At 9.30 a.m. a number of Hirundines were already present and many others came in during the morning, afew Swifts (Apus a. apus) being with them. By 10.30 a.m. I had been round the Sewage Farm and one Common Sandpiper was the only wader seen. At 10.35 a Whimbrel flew over N.N.E. At 10.50 there was a Black Tern over one of the tanks, and shortly after two Ringed Plover and then a Dunlin flew in from.the S.W. At 11.5 six Dunlin flew straight over, going N.E. At 11.8 I saw an Arctic Tern descend from a height from the S.W. It joined the Black Tern and hawked for insects over the water amid a crowd of Hirundines. At 11.22 three more Dunlin arrived and a minute later Isawa Little Tern beating steadily in from the $.W. It joined the Hirundines over the water but passed on after five minutes. The weather now temporarily cleared and no further move- ment took place until 12.20. Then thirteen Dunlin flew in 148 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOL, XXiW4 and five minutes later six Common Sandpiper and about twenty Ringed Plover. The last passed on almost at once, but the Dunlin and Common Sandpiper stayed for an hour. During the afternoon the north wind became almost a gale and no further arrivals were noted. At 8.0 p.m. no Terns and only one Dunlin and four Common Sandpiper remained. A passage on the scale of the above was observed on no other occasion during the spring. Most of the Terns flew straight over the Sewage Farm without halting; others spent a longer or shorter interval hawking for insects over the tanks before passing on. Rarely one alighted to rest and once one stayed the night, this bird, a Black Tern, appearing to be exhausted. The stay of many of the waders was almost as brief. Parties not infrequently flew straight over without alighting. These had descendeds for once away from the Sewage Farm they rose considerably higher. Most waders stopped only a few hours, but if they came in late in the evening they often stayed the night. Only rarely did birds stop more than two nights. This short stay was a contrast to the autumn migration, when birds often stayed a week or more, » recuperating before their next flight. When possible the direction taken by arriving and departing migrants was noted. The direction of arrival could not be precisely obtained as birds were rarely seen until nearly over the Sewage Farm. It varied round about south and west, but little more can be said. The direction of departure was easier to ascertain as birds could be watched until out of sight. A Lesser Black-backed Gull went over north on April 27th and two north-east on April 30th. Of Terns, on April 24th a party of six left somewhat north of east ; two passing separately went somewhat south of east. On May 6th two left somewhat north of east. During the passage of May 23rd to May 26th two birds went slightly north of east; three, all separate, north-east, and seven parties, twenty birds in all, north. Of waders, on May 6th a Whimbrel passed somewhat north of east and a party of Dunlin about north-east. Between May 18th and June 6th the direction taken by eleven parties, involving nine species of waders, was noted. In nine cases they went off about north-east and twice north. Assuming that the north- easterly direction was maintained by the waders after they were out of sight, it means that they would arrive on the north Norfolk coast, about forty miles from Cambridge. If VOL. Xxiv.] THE SPRING MIGRATION, 1930. 149 they had been travelling north-east before reaching Cambridge, the Hampshire coast was perhaps their point of origin. It is perhaps worth noting that two other inland localities where waders are abundant, Tring Reservoirs and the Reading Sewage Farm, lie near this line. — Six species of waders seen at Cambridge this spring, Curlew-Sandpiper, Little and Temminck’s Stints, Wood- Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit and Grey Plover, are considered rare inland in England at this season, and perhaps Oyster- Catcher, Turnstone, Sanderling and Greenshank might be added to these. All these, save the Temminck’s and perhaps the Little Stint, are regular in spring on the Hampshire and north Norfolk coasts, probably the localities between which they were travelling. As at least twenty-six Sanderlings passed through and several of the other birds occurred on more than one occasion, there was plainly a steady inland passage of the waders which have hitherto mainly been noted as travelling northwards by a coastal route. From the consistency with which the typically coastal waders occur in autumn, it is apparent there is a regular passage inland at that season. Evidence of a corresponding spring movement is at present scarce, but the inland localities suited to waders are fewer in spring than in autumn and those which exist seem rarely to have been adequately watched. Mr. H. G. Alexander (antea, Vol. XXIII., p. 238) records at the north Worcestershire Reservoirs in the spring of 1929 a passage of Dunlins and Ringed Plover until well into June, and the occurrence of Turnstones and a Sanderling in May. There are also many isolated spring records of the rarer waders inland which suggest that with more consistent watching a spring passage corresponding to that of the autumn might be shown to occur. In considering the seeming abnormality of the present records the extreme suitability of the area must be taken into account. Cambridge has long been noted for the waders which pass over it at night, and the observations made at the Sewage Farm in the past few autumns suggest that more waders occur there than at any other inland locality in England. So far the area has been regularly visited during only one previous spring, that of 1928, when no movement occurred onthe present scale. Only future observations can determine how often a movement occurs on the scale of this year. I think that these will show that the typical coastal waders now recorded inland nearly every autumn, although perhaps not 150 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx1v, annual in spring, occur much more often then than past records would suggest. The following is a list of the more interesting species observed. With the more unusual species I have added the initials of the observer who identified it. Thirteen of the following species have been recorded for Cambridgeshire under five times, but the number of previous records, owing to the paucity of local observations, have little scientific value and are no guide to the true status of the bird. Hence I omit them. References to them and the field-notes sup- porting identification will be found in the Cambridge Ornithological Club Report for 1930. GREENLAND WHEATEAR (Cnanthe @. leucorrhoa).—A male was seen from May Ist to May 4th (H. R. Kirkwood, H.B.G.) and another male on May 18th and May roth (D.L.L.). SAND-MarTIN (Riparia r. riparia).—The three species of Hirundines’ were common during migration. As late as June ist about forty Sand-Martins arrived and on June 7th and roth there were fresh arrivals of about fifteen birds. SwALLows (Hirundo r. rustica) and MARTINS (Delichon u. urbica) arrived with them in similar numbers. For the latter . such a late passage is normal, but it appears to be very abnormal for the Sand-Martin. SHELDUCK (Yadorna tadorna).—Two ducks appeared on May 9th, one staying until the 16th. They were presumably on migration ; it is unusual to see this species so far inland at this season. OysTER-CATCHER (He@matopus ostralegus).—Two arrived at about 4.0 p.m. on March roth and probably left the same evening. They alighted on a path and did not attempt to feed. RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula).—One came in at about 4.30 p.m. on March 12th and probably left the same evening. On April 26th two appeared, there were three the next day, two until April 30th and one until May 5th. On May 6th twenty-two arrived but stopped only a few minutes. No more were seen until May 18th when twelve appeared. Their numbers fluctuated between three and seventeen until May 30th, a change taking place often three times a day. On one occasion nine flew over without alighting and this perhaps occurred frequently, as it is likely to be overlooked. On June 1st the number rose as high as thirty-three, after which it fell off rapidly to two on June oth. Even after this a few were seen every day until June 14th, our last visit. In voL. xxIv.] THE SPRING MIGRATION, 1930. 151 early June several appeared with the head markings, which are normally black, represented by brown, and at least one had an incomplete breast band. These could hardly have been birds of the year on their return passage, and were probably birds in their first summer which had not attained maturity. This spring a minimum of one hundred and thirty individuals passed through, a larger number than was observed of any other wader. The late date up to which they passed is interesting, but Mr. H. G. Alexander (oc. cit.) records a similar June movement inland in Worcestershire in 1929, so perhaps such a late passage 1s not unusual. In the Practical Handbook the spring migration is said to last only until mid-May. GOLDEN PLOVER (Ch. apricartus).—Large numbers were heard passing over Cambridge at 3.30 a.m. on March 7th, probably travelling east. For the next four days small flocks were seen around the Sewage Farm. GREY PLovER (Squatarola squatarola).—One in full summer plumage arrived in the afternoon of May 31st and departed north-east when put up (C.W.B., A.B.D.). TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres).—At 1.8 p.m. on May 20th two flew in with two Ringed Plover and alighted amid a feeding flock of Ringed Plover and Dunlins. After two minutes they departed in a northerly direction. On May 25th another arrived and departed north-east the next day at 8.30 p.m., at the commencement of a thunderstorm. On June 5th one arrived which differed from the others by not being in full summer plumage. The next day it appeared very wild and called repeatedly, both on the ground and in flight. This call was quite new to me, being a loud, sustained, rather harsh whistle, sometimes repeated rapidly to produce a rattling note not unlike the typical call, but louder and richer in quality. Descriptions of the alarm note at the breeding grounds (antea, Vol. XV., p. 177, and Vol. XIX., p- 6) correspond closely with the note I heard and I have no doubt it was the same. After calling repeatedly the bird departed north. Rurr (Philomachus pugnax)—A Reeve came in on March i2th at 4.15 p.m. and stayed until March 15th (H.B.G., D.L.L.). This is an extremely early but not unprecedented date (see antea, Vol. XXII., p. 192, a record of three at Oxford, March 8th to March 14th, 1928). The only other seen was a Ruff on June 8th (D.L.L.). 152 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xxIv, SANDERLING (Crocethia alba).—One was seen on May roth, On May 18th seven appeared and, like the Dunlins and Ringed Plover with which they came, their numbers fluctuated rapidly, between two and nine, until May 21st. Thenext seen were four on May 25th, one more the next day and alast bird on June Ist. At least twenty-six birds passed through, of which two were in full summer plumage. Yet the bird is said to be unusual inland in England in spring. DuNLIN (Calidris alpina).—First seen on April 22nd, but how many occurred during the Vacation is uncertain. The number rose steadily to sixteen on April 27th and then decreased to one on May 2nd. On May 3rd eight appeared and on May 4th five flew straight over without alighting. On May 6th twenty-three were seen, which all left the same day. A few birds were seen from May 7th to 11th and two on the 16th. On the 18th eight appeared. Until the 27th they, like the Ringed Plover and Sanderling, changed in numbers several times each day, varying between one and ten. After the 27th only one was present until June 2nd, when another arrived, in almost complete winter plumage. The number present rose to five on June 4th, one being left on the 6th, the last seen. None of these last birds had attained full summer plumage. They were the only Dunlin seen in incomplete moult since April. The number of birds which passed during the spring was at least one hundred and seven. CURLEW-SANDPIPER (C. testacea).—One in almost complete winter plumage was seen on May 22nd and 23rd (A.B.D., LANES Dales). LIgTLe STINT (C. minuta).—One in summer plumage was seen in the early morning of May 25th. At 8 a.m. it flew off N.E. with its companions, Ringed Plover and Dunlins (D.L.L.). On June 6th three appeared which, when flushed, left :'N.E. at 9.20 p.m. These were not in full summer plumage, for two had pure white chests, the other only faintly brown striations. (].H.W., D:EAL.). As they noserie leave they uttered several thin, clear, whistling notes, some- what reminiscent of the call of the Common Sandpiper. This note was quite distinct from the bird’s typical triple call, which I know well, being more prolonged and less sharp and harsh. It was possibly a note of the breeding-ground, as in the case of the Turnstone, but descriptions of the breeding-ground call-notes do not quite agree with my impression of the note. VOL. xxIv.] THE SPRING MIGRATION, 1930. 153 TEMMINCK’s StintT (C. temminckit)—At 6.30 p.m. on May 23rd I saw a tiny wader fly in from the south-west. Its flight was very similar to a Sand-Martin’s, and it repeatedly uttered a thin, vibratory note which might be written “ ptirrrt.”” It settled within thirty yards and proved to be a Temminck’s Stint. The wings and chest were far greyer than those of C. minuta, and the pale, not black, legs were conspicuous. On repeatedly flushing it I had several clear views of the white outer tail-feathers, while its repeatedly uttered call-note, absolutely distinct from that of the commoner bird, was further corroboration of its identity. That evening I showed it to A.B.D. and J.H.W. and the next morning to Mrs. M. D. Brindley, who was able to confirm the identification from her experience of the bird in its Siberian breeding-grounds. The best views I obtained of the bird were in the late evening, when it allowed close approaches, the nearest being within about seven yards. It generally kept by itself, but at times associated with a party of Dunlin and Ringed Plover. COMMON SANDPIPER (Tringa hypoleucos).—Birds were seen singly and in twos and threes from April 20th to June 2nd. On May 6th six arrived and by May goth there were nine, but they soon departed. This was the only period during which more than four birds were seen together. On May gth one repeatedly performed its nuptial flight and trill. WoOOD-SANDPIPER (7. glareola)—Two came in on the morning of May 24th. There were three the next day and they left on the 26th at 8.30 p.m., when a thunderstorm commenced. On the 25th one performed its nuptial flight when flushed. This struck me as being very similar in character to that of a Common Sandpiper, but the trilling note differed in quality. On June 8th and gth another bird was present. It was in poor plumage compared with the earlier ones, the white spots on the wings being indistinct and the whole plumage much duller; it was probably moulting. This was a late bird; in the Practical Handbook the migration is said to last only during April and May. GREEN SANDPIPER (T. ochropus).—The scarcity of this species was remarkable in a spring when nearly all waders were so abundant. One appeared on May 25th and another next day, when they both left. REDSHANK (T.fotanus).—Fivewintered. On March 5th there werenineand theyincreased steadily to forty-twoon Marchti2th. After this they slowly decreased, a few remaining to breed. M 154 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xxiv 7 GREENSHANK (7. nebularia).—Three were seen on the morning of May 21st. They stayed only a short time (Mrs. M.D. Brindley). BAR-TAILED Gopwit (Limosa lapponica).—One in fy] summer plumage was seen in a damp meadow adjoining the Sewage Farm on May 11th. It was extremely tame and allowed its magnificent plumage to be viewed at thirty yards, It stayed the whole day, keeping in the same field, although repeatedly flushed (H.B.G., D.L.L.). CuRLEW (Numenius arquata).—One flew over, calling, on April 22nd (J.H.W.). WHIMBREL (N. pheopus).—One flew over, calling, on Maweoth (DL.L.). ae Brack TERN (Chlidonias mger).—These passed through on seven days, nineteen birds being seen in all, including seven on April 24th and five on May 26th. The last to be seen were two on June 4th. One which arrived on May 26th did not leave until May 28th; it appeared to be exhausted. On May 6th A.B.D. heard one utter a loud, harsh, disyllabic call reminiscent of the note of the Arctic Tern and quite distinct from the thin call-note normally heard on migration. » On May 26th I heard three passing birds utter the same note. This call seems to be the alarm-note normally uttered at the breeding-grounds. COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo).—These occurred on _ April 24th and from May 24th to May 26th. Twenty-seven were seen, but not all were certainly distinguished from the next species. Arctic TERN (S. macrura).—One was seen on May 6th and another on May 26th (D.L.L.). Others probably occurred, but it was impossible to identify many of the Terns as they flew over without halting. LittLE TERN (S. albifrons).—One was seen on May Oth. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus).—One flew over north on April 27th and two north-east on April 3oth ; all these were adults. On June iroth three, all probably immature, flew over west. I presume these were not migrants but vagrant non-breeding birds. IMMIGRATION OF CROSSBILLS IN 1930. THE immigration of Crossbills (Loxia c. curvirostra) from July onward in 1930 was evidently on a much smaller scale than in 1929. In England it has been difficult and often impossible to trace whether the appearance of Crossbills was due to fresh arrivals from the Continent or to more local movements of birds which had stayed over from the 1929 irruption. Reports from a good many districts state that a certain number of Crossbills were present throughout the spring and summer, and in some cases pairs were seen and thought to be breeding, though definite proof was lacking. From the middle of July onwards more birds were seen, but they were undoubtedly in much smaller numbers than in 1929. In the northern islands an immigration was clearly defined, but so far as information goes on a comparatively small scale. It seems sufficient to give a resumé of the observations. SHETLANDS AND ORKNEYS. —Passing parties in July at Fair Isle, but ‘‘ not so many as last year,’’ and one seen in Shetland on July 14th (Scot. Nat.). About 24 miles due east of Wick on July 18th (N.E. wind) about thirty came on board and most remained until Kirkwall was reached and some until a few miles of Lerwick (H. A. Wallace in litt. to C. Oldham). In Orkney an exhausted pair on July 18th and subsequently a number of small parties (four to seven) (Scot. Nat.) One at Hoy on July 31st (W. Serle). OuTER HEBRIDES.—One St. Kilda, July 22nd; one Barra, September t4th (A. MacRae). SCOTLAND, MAINLAND.—Five at Deerness, Sutherland, August 25th (R. J. Buxton); many in Aberdeen and Forfar in August (W. S. Medlicott) ; single records in Fife and E. Lothian (Scot. Nat.) ; Peebleshire, party arrived July roth (T. G. Laidlaw) ; at sea ten miles east of the Isle of May on July roth a “ large flight ’’ was reported as passing a trawler, three birds alighting (Scot. Nat.). ENGLAND.—Apparently new arriv als. were reported, mostly in small numbers and sometimes single birds, from: Northumberland, July 18th (J. M. Craster), and a number on Holy pure on September 8th and apparently some weeks before (T. G. Laidlaw); Yorkshire (N.E.), some end July and numerous August (W. S. Medlicott); Lincolnshire, August (J. S. Reeve) ; Norfolk (north coast), September 18th (C. Old- ham) ; Cheshire, July 25th (T. Perrin) ; Montgomeryshire, September 17th (J. Wood, F. R. Barlow) ; Shropshire, since July 15th a definite increase (H. E. Forrest); Herefordshire, new birds came in July (H. A. Gilbert) ; Worcestershire, July 15th, 31st, August 8th (J. D. Wood, F. R. Barlow, J. S. Elliott, E. St. G. Betts) ; Cm August 17th (H. A. Gilbert) ; Hertfordshire, August 20th | . Oldham) ; Surrey, August roth, 12th (H. Bentham); Sussex, eet roth 156 . BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xIVe (E. Dann); Hampshire August 12th and 17th and September roth (J. R. Wood, F. R. Barlow, M. C. W. Dilke, F.C. R. Jourdain) ; Dorset, August 12th—27th (J. D. Wood, F. R. Barlow, Lord Cross) ; Pembroke- shire (S.W.), August 25th (R. M. Lockley); Scilly Isles, September oth, large flock and previously a few (A. W. Boyd). Foop.—Mr. H. E. Forrest writes that Crossbills were seen eating garden peas at Boreatton Park, Shropshire. In the same county, at Munslow, the Rev. E. Powell, on September 22nd, finding that every apple on two trees, though still im situ, had been sliced open and the pips removed, set a watch, and seeing some birds at the apples shot one, which proved to be an adult male Crossbill (cf. antea, pp. 125-6). CROSSBILLS BREEDING IN SURREY. EarLy in 1930, Crossbills (Loxta c. curvirostra) were present in considerable numbers throughout north-west Surrey, and were observed by us in five separate localities :— (1) April 6th.—A flock of twenty-five to thirty ; and at the same place on April 18th a female feeding a striped young one. (2) April 12th.—Eight seen. (3) April 21st—Twenty; a red male singing. Two on April 28th. (4) In early April a pair were, on several occasions, seen feeding two fully fledged young by Miss J. M. Ferrier, Miss C. M. Acland, P.A.D.H., and other observers. (5) One on June 18th. We suspect that, in addition to the two proved cases of nesting, breeding occurred at other of the above localities. Mr. Howard Bentham has very kindly informed us of the following Surrey breeding records for previous years: 1898, one pair; IQIO, seven pairs; 1926, five pairs; 1927, three pairs. i. H. HARRISsSON. FP. 2.) D. HOLrom, CHAFFINCHES ‘GAUGHT IN NEST-LINING: WirTH reference to the notes on this subject (antea, pp. 103 and 125), in June, 1930, I was looking through an_ osier bed near King’s Lynn when I heard a great commotion in a bush. On going to see what was wrong I found a young Chaffinch (fvingilla c. celebs) hanging by its tongue to the side of a nest. A piece of wool in the lining had got twisted round the two little spines at the base of its tongue, which was pulled out of its mouth. I managed to disengage the wool, but the bird seemed very exhausted. IN, TRACY, VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 157 LARGE CLUTCH OF CHAFFINCH’S EGGS, AT the end of May, 1930, near King’s Lynn, I found a nest of a Chaffinch (Fringilla c. celebs) containing six eggs. On the following morning there were seven eggs in the nest, but no more were laid. N. TRAcy. [In the British Isles the set of seven has been found on seven occasions and Mr. Mayall has once recorded a set of eight (antea, Vol. XIII., p. 80), but of course anything over five is quite unusual.—F.C.R.J.] SCARCE MIGRANTS AT HOLY ISLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND, I speNtT from September 8th to 22nd, 1930, at Holy Island, and during that period there was a good deal of migration of small Passeres noticeable. On the gth the wind went round to the S.E. accompanied by haze, and on the 11th Redstarts and’ Pied Flycatchers were present in hundreds, while Redbreasts, Willow-Warblers and Goldcrests were very plentiful. On this day (11th) I identified a Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla). It frequented a hedge near a barley stubble and I saw it again on the 12th and 13th. It was confiding and allowed a close approach, and its small size, chestnut lores and ear-coverts and black streaks on the breast were easily distinguished. On the same day I watched for some time with my binocu- lars a Warbler catching insects in some bushes in a garden. From its size, the shape of its bill and its brownish-olive upper-parts and bright yellow under-parts it was certainly an Icterine or Melodious Warbler, the former, Hippolats icterina, being, I think, the most likely. On the 11th I also saw three Bluethroats (Luscinia svecica). Two flew to and fro from an embankment to a wall, while the other was hopping about at a great pace on the short grass of a lane. All were catching insects and appeared to be immature birds. T. G. LAIDLaw. REED-BUNTING SHELTERING YOUNG FROM SUN. In Volumes XIII. and XV. of British Brrps some photo- graphs of mine were published showing how Sparrow-Hawks protected their young from the sun. Since then I have at various times taken notes on the methods adopted by various g shielding Nestlings from Sun. Reed-Buntin J. H. Owen.) by ographed (Phot - VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 159 smaller birds to shield their young from the sun. In July, 1930, I secured some photographs of Reed-Buntings (Emberiza s. scheniclus), both male and female, doing this. Their attitudes, which were practically similar, were much more upright than in the Sparrow-Hawk and they did not spread the tail much nor were the wings so fully extended. Even wings in the Reed-Bunting are more widely spread than in any other species I have watched of less size than the Sparrow-Hawk. The female Reed-Bunting was brooding the young and left the nest on the arrival of the male. After feeding the young and cleaning the nest, he immediately took up a position on the brim of the nest with his back to the sun. At first the spread of his wings was not very great, but this increased as the heat got more powerful until it reached the maximum shown in the lower of the two photographs here reproduced. J. H. Owen. YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER SEEN IN SURREY. On October roth, 1930, in my garden at Sutton, I watched for two or three minutes a Yellow-browed Warbler (Phyllo- scopus h. premium) which was singing continually its short, shrill, but pleasing little song while it flittered from branch to branch, at first in a plum tree, then to the surrounding trees. I instantly recognized its song, having heard two singing out of four which I watched exactly thirty-five years ago, that were in a hedge of a garden at West Buckland, Devon (also at 10 a.m.), on either October Ist or 2nd, 1895. This bird behaved in a precisely similar way in its actions, by alighting on the lower branches and working its way upwards from branch to branch, and repeating its song every few seconds. A full account with the song set to music of those I saw in Devon is recorded in British Birds, their Nests and Eggs (Vol. I., pp. 94-96). I was able to get quite close to the bird I am now recording. In general form it resembled a small Willow-Warbler, but was not so slim. The pale yellowish brow-streak was distinctly visible and I now and again caught a glimpse of the yellowish bands on the wing-coverts, but these appeared mostly hidden by the overlapping flank feathers. I believe this is the first instance of this rare little Warbler having been observed in Surrey. F. W. FROHAWK. 160 BRITISH BIRDS. _[VOL. Xx, SIZE OF SWALLOW BROODS IN CHESHIRE. I GIVE below a table of the size of broods of Swallow (Hirundo y. rustica) near Great Budworth, Cheshire, during the last four years. It will be seen that the average of the first brood in June is the largest in each of the four years, particularly so during 1930, when the June average was 4.6 nestlings per brood. The July figures include both first and second broods, but even so are larger than those of August, when there are more broods of one, two and three than in the earlier months. Broods of six occur rarely—only seven out of 335 broods: four in June, one in July and two in August. Broods Total Average sigs Broods of Average Meer Mouth saamined:s 2 1g ft eg eae eee L927, e|umers. LO. se ee eee july 3. 5° = eee 50 3.98 Aug... 28 Wi 425) BS peo ieee Oe Septic. © =) Sa a 1928 June... 22 — Me Hes Or = | Ans July <8 a ee = S66 AUS 1. 20) = 2 5 Om 5 it 3.93 71 3.9 Sept 20 = 2 PS = = -— 1929 June... 327° = We 92) esr m6 eer July <<. 2° = -M, W630,” 107 =) 3705 ANU oon BY = OY IG) LOVE 94 4,00 SSPtacs, “= GE Rea, ee eae 1930 Jtme... $3 <= * © Se Si m7 ano July cs 34 “=. EP S32 “to tol at Seay AUS AS T B) “iQUe2zTi srs | == Sst, 121 4.28 Sept. 0: WS eS 2 ey ie = a7c8 A. W. Boyp. CHOICE OF FIRST NESTING-SITE BY SWALLOWS. Mr. J. F. THomas (antea, p. 128) gave evidence to show that Swallows after their first winter scatter widely on their return in the district in which they were bred. Such recoveries as have been made of birds I have ringed near Great Budworth, Cheshire, fully bear out his suggestion. Eight marked as nestlings have so far been recovered (four of which have already been recorded in British Birds) and, though more recoveries will be needed for definite proof, it is noteworthy that all have been recorded in Cheshire at no great distance. VOL. XXIV. ] NOTES. 161 One of the eight was found in the May of the second summer after ringing 134 miles to the S.E. The other seven were recaptured in their first summer after ringing ; five certainly, and probably all, were breeding. The five breeding birds were found distant from their original home: 3? miles S.W., 1 mile S.W., 14 miles N.W., 1 mile 5 fur. N.E., and 3 fur. N.N.W. The other two were found at a distance of 3 miles N.N.E. and 1 furlong W. Many other ringed Swallows returned this year to the district and were frequently reported to me from different farms, but in some cases I did not care to try and catch the adults for fear of desertion, as this species is held in high regard locally and protected in practically every farm. It will be seen, however, that of those recovered none was found in the farm where it was hatched. There seems to be little chance of their becoming inbred if this scattering be the general rule. A. W. Boyp. FATAL COLLISION OF SWIFTS. At Theale Station, Berkshire, there is a large goods shed, open at both ends. Swifts (Apus a. apus) nest inside the shed and often fly right through. I have caught a few of them with a large net and ringed them. On July 24th, 1930, as I am informed by Mr. Stanley the station-master, two Swifts were flying in the same direction, one through the shed and the other outside. The latter, having reached the end of the shed, swung round into it just at the moment when the Swift inside had reached the opening. The two birds collided and fell, and both died as a result about five minutes afterwards. One bore a ring number, 6207, which I had put on eight years before, on May 24th, 1922. NORMAN H. Joy. GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER BREEDING IN SUTHERLAND. ON June 24th, 1930, we heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates major) calling in a small plantation on the Suther- landshire side of Dornoch Firth. On investigation we saw one bird, which was soon joined by another. Above the cries of these two could be heard the shriller voices of young birds. Guided by these, we found the nesting-hole in an old birch. The young were well advanced, and at odd intervals appeared at the entrance hole. G. K. YEATES. M. G. ROBINSON. H. A. PATRICK. 162 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. [The Great Spotted Woodpecker was recorded as breeding in south-east Sutherland in 1926 (antea, Vol. XX., p. 206), but it is interesting to have a further observation as this is the most northerly point at which it has been noted as breeding. The extension of this bird in northern Scotland during the last twenty years has been remarkable, and within the last ten years it has been recorded as nesting in the counties of Banff, Elgin, Nairn, Inverness, Ross, and, as shown above, south Sutherland.—EDs. ] TAWNY OWL TAKING YELLOW BUNTING. On April 20th, 1929, I visited the nest of a Tawny Owl (Strix a. sylvatica) near Upper Largo, Fife. In addition to a newly hatched young one and two eggs the nest also con- tained a number of mice and voles and a male Yellow Bunting (Emberiza c. cttrinella). Whilst the Practical Handbook states that Buntings have been recorded as food of the Tawny Owl, there has apparently been no information as to which species are taken. W. J. EGGELING. [Newsted recorded a “‘ Bunting”’ in an analysis of pellets of this species, but though probably FE. citrinella, the species. was not specified.—F.¢€.R.]J.] BUZZARD BREAKING THROUGH GLASS GREENHOUSE. On August 29th, 1930, a Buzzard (Buteo b. buteo) forced its way through a pane of glass in the side of a greenhouse adjoining my house. From there it made its way through an open doorway into a corridor of the house, where I found it perched. I opened a door leading into the garden, but the bird, in its alarm, flew through the greenhouse, and, smashing another pane of glass close to where it had entered, made its escape. Although Sparrow-Hawks have on several occasions been reported as breaking through glass, I am not aware that this has been recorded in the case of the Buzzard. They are not uncommon round this district (Langford, Bow, Devonshire), and one had been seen about a week earlier close to the house, probably the same bird, as both were uniform brown — in colour. R. O. JOURDAIN. HONEY-BUZZARDS IN KENT. A HoneEy-Buzzarp (Pernis a. apivorus) was shot on September 17th, 1930, in the vicinity of Rochester. The VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 163 bird, which is in immature plumage, proved on dissection to be a female. A sample of the contents of the crop and stomach was kindly examined and reported upon by Mr. R. B. Benson, of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, who states that this consisted of pieces of wasp’s nest, comb, larve, pup and immature workers of the common wasp (Vespa vulgaris). The bird was received by me in the flesh from Captain C. W. R. Knight, into whose possession it had passed for identification, and by whose courtesy this note has been made possible. JAMES M. HARRISON. A second Honey-Buzzard, which I have seen, was shot on the same day near Snargate, in Romney Marsh. This was also an immature bird, very fat, and its stomach full of wasp-grubs. N. F. TICEHURST. OSPREYS IN GREAT BRITAIN. As an unusual number of Ospreys (Pandion halietus) have made an appearance in this country this autumn, it is advisable to collect all the details, and we publish below reports we have received, and would refer readers to one already published (antea, p. 131). We shall be glad to have any further news of the occurrence of this species. It will be seen that most of the first appearances in different locali- ties occurred in the middle of September, the dates being so near together as to point to the possibility of a number of birds having migrated at the same time. It may be remem- bered that Capt. C. W. Knight turned out last year in Scotland two young birds from America. We do not know the fate of these birds and we believe they were not ringed, but it is obvious that the present migration has no connexion with these two birds, as has been suggested. IN ARGYLLSHIRE.—I had an Osprey under observation on Loch Sunart, Argyll, from September 20th until the 23rd, and it was seen by others on the 19th. It apparently spent the day at large, but returned early in the evening to a group of stunted and bent oaks some 600 yards up the hillside from the water. I saw it once, planing and circling at about 150 feet above the bay (September 20th), and also on the 22nd I watched it hovering over the land, as motionless as a Kestrel, with the head slightly down. A Buzzard flew over on this occasion and so enabled me to make a comparison. The Osprey looks much larger, but 164. BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. also much less stumpy ; its neck looked distinctly long and its wing-span tremendous. Very wild weather prevailed the next day and I was told that the Osprey was seen to make a very clumsy landing near the shore, but it had disappeared when my informant went out to look for it, nor, I understand, has it been seen since. BRUCE CAMPBELL. In Exvcin.—In The Field (4-x-30, p. 481) “‘ Ferintosh ”’ states that ‘‘ recently ’’ he watched an Osprey near Grantown and later on the same day was shown the bird dead. We are informed that it was a bird of the year and the date was September 16th. OFF THE East CoAst.—An Osprey, which I kept alive for some days and then despatched to the London Zoological Gardens, was caught, tired out,on board a Yarmouth fishing boat on September 17th, 1930. I have been unable to obtain the exact position of the boat when the bird came on board and can only state that it was between Yarmouth and the Humber. ; The bird fed on flounders, whiting, cod’s head and other fish ; it also took a great liking to skate skins and bullock’s liver. It was thus no trouble to feed and was at no time restless or defiant and only once tried to claw my hand. It appears to be a bird of the year. A. H. PATTERSON. In NorFro_k.—The first Osprey seen at Hickling this autumn (1930) was on September 17th and again on the rgth at Horsey Mere. On September 27th an Osprey again appeared at Hickling. It was seen to make three unsuccessful dives, catching on the fourth, while on the 29th two unsuccessful dives were observed. On October 1st I saw the Osprey come towards a pen of ducks, hover and dive down, I waved my arms to frighten it, and either my action or a view of the wire netting made it take off. On the 6th it again scared a big lot of duck, and I am inclined to think this bird was not averse to taking waterfowl, as I saw it carrying a black object which did not look like a fish, and may have been a duck or Coot, but the bird was just too far off to be certain. J. VINCENT. Mr. B. B. Riviére informs us that a bird of the year, now in the Norwich Museum, was shot near Harleston about September 13th and that one was seen at Rockland on the 2oth. Miss M. Barclay informs us that she watched one at Gunton Lake, north-east Norfolk, from October 12th to the 2and, at which date it appears to have left. VOL. XXIV. | NOTES. 165 In SuFFOLK.—An Osprey, which I now have in captivity, was caught in an exhausted state, at Gunton Hall, near Lowestoft, on September 22nd, 1930. This bird is thriving very well on a diet of rabbit and chicken. G. H. GURNEY. In SuRREY.—On September 19th, 1930, 1 saw an Osprey in Surrey. It was perching on a dead birch tree by the side of a marsh, on an exposed bit of ground. My atten- tion was attracted by its large size and white head, which could be distinctly seen through field-glasses at a good distance away. It remained on the tree for nearly twenty minutes, during which time I approached to within about 200 yards. The white head, with black streak across the cheek, white under-parts and thighs, and brown back were clearly seen, and made identification certain. The bird constantly turned its head sharply from side to side, and small birds, as they flew overhead, dipped at it, though it took no notice of them. It then rose, and with deliberate wing-flaps flew away in an easterly direction. On September 25th, 1927, an Osprey was seen within half a mile of the same place, flying in the same direction. ENAID E. JONES. NESTING OF RED-BREASTED MERGANSER IN DUMFRIESSHIRE. In the summer of 1930 I was told that two broods of “‘ Saw- billed ducks’ were to be seen daily on the River Nith near Cowhill. It was not, however, till September r2th that specimens of these birds could be obtained, when two were sent to me; these I at once forwarded to Mr. H. F. Witherby who has identified them both as female Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator). Mr. Witherby informs me that, judging from the condition of their sexual organs and from the smallness of their crests, he considers that both birds were hatched this year. This note should be read in conjunction with Mr. Blezard’s record of the breeding of the Red-breasted Merganser on the River Annan (antea, Vol. XXIII., p. 132) and my letter on page 232 of the same volume. HuGH S. GLADSTONE. CURLEW- AND GREEN SANDPIPERS IN SHROPSHIRE. On September 7th, 1930, my brother (O. R. Owen) and I went to look for a Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) which 166 BRITISH BIRDS. (0) 0.401 had been frequenting some small ponds near Oswestry for more than a month. We saw no sign of it, but at one pond we were greatly surprised to find a Curlew-Sandpiper (Calidris testacea). We examined it from close quarters with a powerful pair of field-glasses and put it up several times to watch its flight. Each time it flew a short distance and returned to the pond to rest. It seemed very tired. Later in the day we again watched the bird and approached within twenty feet of it. On this occasion we flushed the Green Sandpiper. I have seen Green Sandpipers in Shropshire in spring, autumn and winter, usually singly, but occasionally in pairs in the winter, but the Curlew-Sandpiper I have never seen in the county before. J. H. OWEN. LITTLE STINT IN SURREY ; On September 30th, 1930, at one of the reservoirs near Hammersmith Bridge, my attention was attracted by its size and its short, straight bill to a very small wader, which was feeding, unaccompanied by any other bird. I recognized a Little Stint (Calidris minuta),and the bird allowed me to watch it for as long as I wished from a distance of only a — few feet. It appeared to be an immature bird. With the exception that a single bird was reported from the Brent Reservoir in the autumn of 1929 (antea, Vol. XXIII., p. 194) this species seems not to have occurred in Middlesex since 1871 (London Naturalist, 1929, p. 28). It appears to have been a rare visitor to Surrey, for I am told that in all the volumes of British Birds the only record for the county relates to a bird seen by Mr. Howard Bentham at Frensham Pond in 1919 (antea, Vol. XIII., p. 220), and that in the Zoologist from the beginning of 1900 to the end of 1916 there appears to be no record at all. F. RK. Finca GREY PHALAROPE IN SURREY. ON September 21st, 1930, which was the day after a great gale, I found on one of the reservoirs near Hammersmith Bridge a Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) which had nearly, but not quite, completed the change from summer- into winter-plumage. I saw the bird again on September 23rd and 25th ; and I am told that on the 27th it had gone. ¥. R. FINCH ACTIONS OF GREY PHALAROPES IN SOMERSET. DuRING the gale on September 21st, 1930, I had the oppor- tunity of watching four Grey Phalaropes (Phalaropus fulicarius) VOL. XXIV. ] NOTES. 167 carius) which were feeding on a saltings near Burnham. They were extraordinarily tame and would allow me and three dogs to approach within three yards. They were feeding greedily in the small, muddy pools, and at frequent intervals they would sit down for a few seconds in the mud and continue feeding while sitting. The high wind may have accounted for this, as on the 25th I watched three of these birds in the same place and they never sat down while feeding. Their walk was rather ungainly, with feet rather wide apart, more like a duck’s walk. | When approached too close they uttered a high-pitched but soft “chip”, but otherwise were silent. I saw the last of the party on September 28th. E. G. Hort. SANDWICH TERNS IN ESSEX. In A History of the Birds of Essex, Mr. W. E. Glegg states that the Sandwich Tern (Sterna s. sandvicensis) “is now recorded only on very rare occasions while on migration ”’, and the only dated record since 1876 is of one seen at Harwich on April 24th, 1927. It is therefore worth recording that on August 31st, 1930, when with other members of the London Natural History Society, a flock of at least 200 Sandwich Terns was seen on Mucking Flats. They were chiefly congregated on and about a few lumps and posts protruding from the mud. Several flew from down-river to the flock, a few feeding, plunging into the shallow water ; the others alighted among the resting birds. L. PARMENTER. H. A. LITTLEJOHN. LAND-RAIL’S ACTIONS WHEN CALLING. DuRING the latter half of May, 1929, at Pooley Bridge, Westmorland, I had a good opportunity of watching a Land-Rail (Crex crex) “ creaking ’’. There were about five pairs within a radius of a quarter of a mile from the hotel where I was staying. I located a pair in a meadow of short grass and spent many hours watching them. Upon hearing the creaking I would fix my glasses on the spot from which the sound came, and could see the bird with its head and neck stretched above the grass, its beak wide open and held at an angle of about 45 degrees. It appeared to keep its beak open all the time and moved its head slowly from side to side ; then it would leave off creaking and slowly submerge. After an interval of about five minutes it would again raise its head above the grass either in the same place or a little further off and repeat the performance. N. TRACY. 168 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL, XXIV. MOORHENS KILLING HOUSE-MARTIN, I was recently watching a pair of Moorhens (Gallinula ch. chloropus) which had a nest containing eggs and a brood of half-grown young on a pond at Tadworth, Surrey. Greatly to my astonishment, both the adult Moorhens made a savage attack upon a House-Martin (Delichon uw. urbica) which was one of a party of four engaged in collecting mud at the side of the pond. The male Moorhen, after feeding the female at the nest, immediately swam to the edge of the pond, and seizing one of the Martins with its bill, shook it violently before dropping it into the water and delivering a number of sharp blows with the beak. The female then joined in the attack, but by this time the Martin appeared to be almost lifeless, and after striking a few more blows the aggressors swam away. A minute or two later the unfortunate victim commenced to struggle feebly, when both Moorhens at once resumed the attack. I hurried to the spot in the hope of rescuing the Martin but it appeared to have been trampled under the deep mud, as I could discover no trace of it. I should mention that the pond is a very small one, and as the Moorhens were the only birds nesting there, it would appear that the question of territorial rights is the only possible explanation of such extraordinary behaviour. HowARD BENTHAM. YounG Cuckoo FED BY WREN.—Mr. T. G. Powell writes that on July 19th, 1930, in Staverton Park, east Suffolk, he watched a Wren (Tvoglodytes t. troglodytes) feeding an almost fully-grown young Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus). This is some evidence that the Cuckoo was reared by the Wren, but as birds other than the real foster-parents frequently feed young Cuckoos, the evidence is not conclusive. G Lossy IBIs IN HAMPSHIRE.—Mr. F. W. Frohawk states (Field, 27. ix. 1930, p. 444) that a specimen of Plegadis falcinellus was shot in the Christchurch marshes on October 26th, 1929. Mr. Frohawk gives a drawing of the specimen which was lent to him by Mr. D. C. Johnstone, the present owner of it. That Book you want! Foyles hold a considerable stock of Second-hand Books on Ornithology, and can supply any Scientific Book that is in print and most of those that are out of print. They have a Special Department for this class of literature under a Manager who has experience and knowledge of the Natural Sciences. 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Call and consult him, or write asking for Catalogue 637. Books sent on approval. Special Offer of a set of “BRITISH BIRDS,” Vols. 1 to 20, for the years 1907 to 1927, with index to first 12 Vols. Offered in good condition £15. Quote Offer 637. *# FOYLES, |! 19-125 Charing Cross Rd.,London,W.C.2 BRITISABIRDS WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘“ THE ZOOLOGIST.” EDITED BY H. F.WITHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S.,M.B.O.U.,H.F.A.O.U. ASSISTED BY Rev. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.O.U., F.Z.S., AND _NORMAN EB, TiceHURST, 0. B.E., M, ro _F.R.C.S., M.B.0.U, CONTENTS OF NUMBER 7, VOL. XXIV., DECEMBER I, 1930. = PAGE Breeding of the Black-necked Grebe in Ireland. By C. V. Stoney and G. R. Humphreys. .. Its Status as a Breeding Bird in Great Britain. H.F.W. ir 170 Field-Notes on the Subalpine Warbler. By John Armitage xe 176 Recovery of Marked Birds ome eee aes =o pate 179 Notes :— Crossbills Eating Crab-Apples (C. J. Carroll) ane a 189 Rapid Replacement of Nest by Pied Wagtail ae W. M. Congreve) 189 Tree-C reeper Removing its Deser ted E ees and ] ying Agaii in (N. Tracy) 190 Disposal of Addled_ E ges ‘and Dead Nestlings by Great and Blue Tits (Col. B. H. Ryves) : “st 190 Black Redstart Breeding in Kent (T. ie W allace) . 190 Black Redstart Inland in Hampshire (B. H. G. Wormald) 191 Nightingale on Migration in Norfolk (E. G. Herbert) ote 192 Alpine Swift in Essex (H. E. W. Braund) ... a a 192 Ospreys in Great Britain ’ a ma eas 192 Habits of an Osprey in Norfolk (Miss M. Barclay) ... Pee 193 American Blue-winged Teal in Ireland (E. O'Mahony) as 195 Fulmar Nesting on the Great Saltee (C. Oldham) 195 Late Stay of Curlew on Welsh Breeding-Grounds (Major W. M. Congreve) ; pes 196 Sandwich Tern in Cornwall in ‘Nov ember (Cc. Oldham) ae 196 Black Guillemot in Cornwall (C. Oldham) ... “ee +e 197 Short Notes :— Safety Devices in Wings of Birds—Correction. Temminck’s Stint in Kent. Little Gull in Fifeshire. Guillemots in Inner London . ae rae aa aes = 197 Letter :— Reed-Bunting Sheltering Young from Sun (B. B. Osmaston) 197 Reviews :— A Bird-Watcher’s Note Book. By J. W. Seigne. Dream Island. TAlm 30: Ditto 0.3.20} 24.5:30) Ditto 24.5.30. Ditto 15.3.30. Ditto 21 .2:30; Ditto 215307 Ditto Coys FXO): Ditto 20.3.30. Ditto 10.2.30. Ditto 25.5.30. Ditto 255230) Ditto, »= 3-3 .30;. by Gis ae Robinson. Ditto, 23:35:30; oby “i: Ward. Ditto, 21.5.30, by Mrs. Lloyd. Ditto, 30.5.30, by E. Irving. Ditto, 12.6.30, by A. Bryan. Ditto; 5.6680), Si bye We Huggon. Ditto, 22.6.30, by A. Howe. Annan (Dumfries.), 28.6.30, by J. Dickson. Scaleby (Cumb.), May, 1930, by W. Telford. Where ringed, 4.8.30, by J. Baker. Where ringed, 17.11.29, by ringer. Near where ringed, 20.11.29, by Mr. Birkenhead. Beeston (Notts.), 7.5.30, by Pe ermce: Driebergen, Holland, 28.6.30, by M. T. Blom. Tean (Statis.), 5.8.30 be ringer. Where ringed, 23.5.30, by ringer. Saul (Glos.), 7.5.30, Py T. W. Maule. VOL. XxIv.} RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. No. T.5885 X.8223 X.4084 S.4150 Y¥.5572 T.5796 V.9732 V.6841 P8973 H.3787 H.3788 H.3526 H.4059 H.5452 H.5384 H.5513 G.5492 J.8749 H..4957 D.4573 G.6561 H.4519 G.6930 Place and Date Ringed. 181 Place and Date Recovered. STARLING (continued.) Hemsby (Norfolk), 26.2.29, ad., by J. M. Ferrier. Ingatestone (Essex) ,25.5.26, young, by B. Clark. Godalming (Surrey), 28.5.28, ad., by W. P. G. Taylor. Canterbury (Kent), 31.5.29, young, by H. Jacob. Near Worthing (Sussex), nestling, 24.5.26, for Lond. Brighton (Sussex), 25.2.29, ad., by C. W. G. Paulson. Salisbury (Wilts.), 13.1.29, ad., for Oxford Orn. Soc. Branscombe _ (Devon.), 90,12.27, ad., by H.-A. Morshead. Near Tilsit (E. Prussia), Oct., 1930, by K. Stoermer. Where ringed, 1929, by C. H. Cannon. Where ringed, ringer. Near where ringed, June, 1930, by T. M. Osborne. 1.10.30, by GREENFINCH (Chloris c. chloris). Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 04.2,.20, ad., Dy A. W. Boyd. Ditto 25.12.28. Ditto ditto. Ditto 6.1.29. Ditto 12.3.29. Ditto 17.5.29. Ditto 18.5.29. Ditto 11.6.29. Oxford, 15.1.29, ad., for Oxford Orn. Soe. LINNET (Carduelis c. Eton (Bucks.), 25.5.30, nest- ling, by G. B. Blaker. Where ringed, 18.5.30, by ringer. Dornbusch, KRugen, Ger- many, 26.7.30, by Becker. Tisbury (Wilts.), March, 1930, by H. Martin. Near Antwerp (Belgium), 18.10.29, by V. van Straelen. Where ringed, 1.1.30, by ringer. Ditto £2.1.30, Ditto, three times Jan., 1929; 16.5.29; 12.1.30. Ditto 3.3.29; 8, 17.53.30. Ditto 2.2.30. Ditto 13.5.30. Ditto 2.2.80. Ditto, 30.6.29; 4, 8.7.29; 24.3.30 Where ringed, April, 1930, by S. Hewlett. cannabina). Vieux-Boucan (Landes), France, 16.10.30, by M. Mague. CHAFFINCH (Fringilla c. celebs). Kirkmahoe (Dumfries.), 7.1.29, ad., by W. and A. B. Duncan. Ulverston (Lancs.), 24.6.27, ad., by C. F. Archibald. Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 9.6.28, ad., by A. W. Boyd. Malvern (Worcs.), 22.1.29, ad., by P. E. A. Morshead. Polegate (Sussex), 15.1.29, ad., by W. A. Cadman. Where ringed, 4.4.30, ringer. Ditto 24.7.30. Ditto 8.4.30. Where ringed, 12.6.30, by ringer. Where ringed, 26.5.30, by tC. G Hunt. by ' G.0583 J.1283 H.4428 H.7786 G.6271 R.6503 WeZe Al V.1053 V.9398 V.9263 V.3021 ‘3 2To W.5433 BRITISH BIRDS. Place and Date Ringed. [VOL. XXIV. Place and Date Recovered. TREE-SPARROW (Passer m. montanus). Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 205,28, dade, Dy 08 ye Boyd. Ditto nestling, 29.6.29. Ditto 1227220; Ditto 12.8.29. Where ringed, 19.7.30, by ringer. YELLOW BUNTING (Emberiza c. citrinella). Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 12.6.26, ad., by A. W. Boyd. SKY-LARK (Alauda a. arvensis). Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 15.6,28, ad., Dy A. We Boyd. Ditto 26.6.30. Ditto 6.7.30. Ditto 6.6.30. W here ringed, 9.6.29 ; 22.7.30, by ringer. Where ringed, 17.4.30, by ringer. MEADOW-PIPIT (Anthus pratensis). Blakeney (Norfolk), 22.8.29, young, by T. H. and W. R. Harrisson. Cley(Norfolk),21.5.30,young, by R. M. Garnett. Near same place, 24.9.30, by E. €. Arnold. Morthory (Basses Pyrénées), 6.10.30, by M. Paul. NUTHATCH (Sitta e. affinis). Hele (Devon.), 11.4.29, ad., by J. M. Hepburn. Where ringed, ringer. 17.4.30, by WHITETHROAT (Sylvia c. communis). Ullswater (Cumb.), June, 1928, young, by Ei) J. Moon. Where ringed, May, 1930, by E. Dawes. SONG-THRUSH (Turdus ph. clarkei). Kannoull = Hill (enti). 21.5.30, young, by J. Ritchie. Helensburgh (Dumbarton.), 7.5.25, nestling, by T. Kerr. Kirkmahoe (Dumfries.), 30.4.27, nestling, by W. and A. B. Duncan. Carlisle) (Cuma) ) se 26.3'20) ad., by J. N. D. Smith. Ditto AZO) Penrith (Cumb.), May, 1927, young, by H. J. Moon. Ingleton (Yorks.), July,1928, young, by H. J. Moon. Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 18.12.27, ad., by A. W. Boyd. Lasseube (Basses Pyrénées), rancey 1250080) bi; seas Cabarrony. Row (Dumbarton.), 27.4.30, by H. Taggart. Perth., 30.3.30, by M.Martin. Where ringed, 25.5.30, by ringer. Ditto 25.5-30. Tralee (Kerry), 10.3.30, by T. Iserins. Where ringed, 13,4,30, by W. Clement. Where ringed, 15, 21.1.29; 17, 25.2.205 WO.7-30,00)) ringer. ‘a. \ voL. xxiv.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. No. T.4316 T.4371 T.6073 X.9848 V.1975 Z.3936 T.4756 T.9486 Y.8972 V.9058 U.9523 T.2620 T.2661 V.9144 V.9441 V.9177 V.9176 U.4726 W.6610 (G.6279 X.8293 V.8545 T.4040 T.6049 Place and Date Ringed. 183 Place and Date Recovered, SONG-THRUSH (continued.) Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 23.2.29. ad., by A. W.Boyd. Ditto 18.3.29. Ditto nestling, 7.6.29. Prestbury (Ches.), 8.5.27, nestling, by R. M. Garnett. Hemsby (Norfolk), 1.5.27, young, by J. M. Ferrier. Benacre (Suffolk), 15.4.25, young, by C. Wingfield. Woodford Green (Essex), 27,2.20, ad., -for Lond. N.H.S. Canterbury (Kent), 4 5.29, young, for St. Edmund’s School N.H.S. Beenham (Berks.), 25.6.26, nestling, by E. G. Corbet. BLACKBIRD (Turdus m. Broughty Ferry (Forfar.), T4.02,.28, ad, by 1. Smith. Falk rk (Stirling.), 14.2.29, ad., for Oxford Orn. Soc. Kirkmahoe 28.5.29, nestling, by W and A. B. Duncan. Ditto ad., 30.12.28. Carlisle (Cumb.), 4.10.28, by js Ne De Sanit: Ditto ad.; 22,122.20. Ditto 9.12.28. Ditto 4.12.28. Carlisle, 29.4.28, young, by H. J. Moon. Penrith (Cumb.), May, 1927, young, by H. J. Moon. York, 23.5.28, young, by H. J. Moon. Stocksfield (Northumb.), 4.6.29, by Mrs. T. E. Hodgkin. Wilmslow (Ches.), 1.8.28, by by E. Cohen. Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 22.8.28, young, by A. W. Boyd. Ditto nestling, 29.5.29. Leshe (Dumfries.), Where ringed, 2.2.30; by ringer. Ditto 20.12.30. Near where ringed, 8.8.30, by ringer. Cheadle Hulme _ (Ches.), 3.11.30, by S. Standing. Ormesby (Norfolk), 27.6.309, by C. Clarke. Near Bouillon, S.E. Belgium, Oct., 1925, by V. van Straelen, Director Musée Roy. d’Hist. Nat. Where ringed, 6.3.29: 30.3.30. Ditto, 8.7.30, by W.Woollett. Reading, June, J. L. Hawkins. 1930, by mervula). Near Dundee, 1.4.30, by W. McFarlane. Where ringed, 6.4.30, by A. Smith, Where ringed, 25.3.30, by W. Duncan. Ryfylke, near Stavanger, Norway, 15.4.30, by H. Hylen. Where ringed, 16.3.30, by ringer. Ditto 13.4.30. Ditto 122.263 4.4.50; Ditto 25.5.30. Near Penrith (Cumb.),8.4.30, by W. Howe. Near where ringed, 17.3.30, by Mr. Anderson. Where ringed, 27.6.29, by G. Patterson. Where ringed, March, 1930, per Country Gentleman. Near Manchester, 25.6.30, by H. Bolton. Where ringed, 20, 24.2.30, by ringer. Ditto 3.8.30. 184 No. T.5239 T.8921 $.2319 V.9632 S.2297 V.6825 S.2352 T.6956 T.6978 » T.6959 T.4760 T.9405 T.5220 T.4761 $.2973 T.0543 D.4823 H.5001 jJ.1072 E.9536 H.3686 H.6598 H.7794 BRITISH BIRDS. Place and Date Ringed. [VOL. XXIV. Place and Date Recovered. BLACKBIRD (continued). Church Stretton (Salop), m4.4.20, ad., Dy Wa as Cadman. Rugby (Warwick.), 12.6.29, nestling, by J. M. Hepburn. Malvern (Worcs.), 29.6.29, ad., by P. E. A. Morshead. Ditto young, 25.5.28. Ditto G2O.20. Ditto ANGlis 1s 77- Ditto TOsL2520) Woodford Green (Essex), 15.06.29, ~aditoneleonds INDEES: Ditto 13.7.29. Ditto 21.0.2. Ditto By3.20s Near Canterbury (Kent), 24.5.29, for St. Edmunds’ School N.H.S. Polegate (Sussex), 6.1.29, by W. A. Cadman. Addlestone (Surrey), 16.4.29, young, for Lond. N.H.S. Harrow (Middx.), 20.6.29, young, by T. H.and W. R. Harrisson. Dauntonk, (Som) 25.2e205 sad., by H. R. Mole. Where ringed 2.5.30, by ringer. Where ringed, 7.5.30, by F. A. Haigh. Where ringed, Aug., 1930, by H. G. Rogers. Where ringed, 6.7.30, M. Sandys, per ringer. Where ringed, March, 1930, by by ringer. Ditto 29.5.30. Ditto ditto. Ditto 220330) Where ringed, 30.3.30, by M. Nicholls. Where ringed, 11.5.30, by J. Chetwood. Where ringed, 18.4.30, by ringer. Where ringed, 8.7.30, by W. Woollett. Where ringed, 24.5.30, by iN, |[ndelevee- Where ringed, 24.3.30, by Mr. Minns. Where ringed, 1.5.30, by Mr. Shuter. Where ringed, 25 and PAV PIAS) BBV IAS) 3 WASEXC), by ringer and S. G. Pyke. REDBREAST (Evrithacus v. melophilus). Carlisle (Cumbs.), 5.12.25, ad., by J. N. D> Smuth- Malvern (Worcs.), 21.5.29, nestling, by P. E. : Morshead. Ditto young, 28.7.29. Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 250.275 AG... Diane Nav ie Boyd. Ditto young, 4.8.28. Ditto nestling, 11.7.29. Hele (Devon.), April, 1929, by J. M. Hepburn. Where tinged, 1.11.27; 10.2.30, by ringer. Near where ringed, 23.6.30, by W. A. Cadman. Where ringed, 18.5.30, by ringer. Ditto 19.1.30. Ditto, 15.1228); 11; 30:1308 TO.g530. Near where ringed, 2.8.29 ; 2010-20) 278. 12:20 Sle Z Onn al. 2 65 Or Where ringed, 15.4.30, by ringer. VoL. XxIv.| RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. No. Place and Date kinged. Place and Date Recovered. HEDGE-SPARROW (Prunella m. occidentalis). F.2735 Near Perth, 27.2.29, ad., by Near where ringed, 25.9.30, Lord Scone. by M. Martin. D.3225 Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), Where ringed, 3 times Nov., 6.10.25, ad., by A. W. 1925; 19.7.30, by ringer. Boyd. ; Ee H.3718 Ditto 25.8.28. Ditto, 29.9.28 ; Z20:12.28 5 6.2.30. H.3805 Ditto 1.1.29. Ditto, 5,6.1.29; 5, 9-11.29; 7.3.30 3 2, 20.4.30. J.1091 Malvern (Worcs.), 27.10.29, Where ringed, 9.5.30, by ad., by P. E. A. Morshead. ringer. J.1089 Ditto’ 28.9.29. Ditto 3.30. H.6038 Battle (Sussex), 30.3.29, ad., _ Ditto 16.4.30 ; 2 7.30. by H. Whistler. SWALLOW (Hirundo r. rustica.) TV.160 Dalston(Cumb.),21.6.29,ad., Where ringed, 23.60.30, by by R. H. Brown. ringer. $Z.903 Ballaugh (1.0.M.), 22.7.29, ee (1.0.M.), 1.6.30, nestling, by F. Bs. Craine. ri. Ralte. $.3887- Ditto ~\_” 97.29% Leaps ASPENS RES: o,-by_W TU.934 Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), Near where ringed, 29.8.30, nestling, 27.6.29, by A. W by ringer. Boyd. TV.236 Ditto 10.7.29. Ditto, 21.8.30, by F. Taylor. TU.894 Near Northwich (Ches.), Ditto, 30.7.30, by ringer. 24.6.29, nestling, by A. W. Boyd. TUg994 Ditto 4.7.29. Ditto 24.7.30. TX96g Laugharne (Carms.), 13.8.29, Where ringed, 13.8.30, by ad., by J. F. Thomas. ringer. TY.26 Ditto 22.8.29. Ditto 11.8.30. SV.641 Ditto 6.8.27. Ditto 2.8.29; 1.8.30. SV.737. Ditto 25.58.27, Ditto, 27.8.25;; 7.8.29 ; 13.8.30. TU.962 Pangbourne (Berks.), 2.7.29, Ditto, May, 1930, by M. young, by C. W. Swiny. Edwards. MARTIN (Delichon u. urbica). SU784 Glen Esk (Forfar.), 13.7.27, Near Brechin (Forfar.), young, by H. G. Watson. 2.8.30, by W. Stormonth. SAND-MARTIN (Riparia r. riparia). K.3918 Kirkby Lonsdale (Westmor- Aiguillon-s-Mer (Vendée), land), July, 1930, young, France, 3.9.30, by Prof. by H. J. Moon. G. Guérin. SWIFT (Apus a. apus). C.6284 Near Leamington (Warw.), Where ringed, 12.7.30, by T3.7.25, a0, by. P. IS. Chance. 185 ringer. 186 No. H.2436 F.4005 F.4008 F.4012 6207 TW.509 J.5110 Z.7928 RR.6605 RR.1425 28825 20243 73762 79087 RR.1478 RR.7309 RS.2673 BRITISH BIRDS. Place and Date Ringed. (VOL, KXIV. Place and Date Recovered. SWIFT (continued). Near Leamington (Warw.), 16.7.28. ad., by Eos Chance. Ditto, 2.7.27, ad., by J. Me and P. K. Chance. Ditto ditto Ditto ditto Near Reading (Berks.), 24.5.22,ad., by N. H. Joy. Ramsbury (Wilts.), 29.6.29, ad., by N. T. Walford. WRYNECK (Vainw i Eton (Bucks.), 7.8.29, nest- ling, by A. Mayall. CUCKOO (Cuculus c. Eton (Bieks))i 2316.28), nestling, by A. Mayall. LITTLE OWL (Athene Near Canterbury (Kent), 6:6:.28, ads, dor st. Ed- mund’s School N.H.S. Ditto young, 2.6.27. TAWNY OWL (Strix Weybourne (Norfolk), 10.5.28, young, by A. P. Meiklejohn. Uffculme (Devon.), 8.5.22, young, by B. Clarke. KESTREL (Falco t. tinnunculus). Near Norwich, May, 1930, Hickling (Norfolk), 8.6.27, nestling, by A. W. Boyd. Little Eversden (Cambs.), 7.6.27, young, by G. W. Thompson. Canterbury (Kent) 23.6.29, young, for St. Edmund’s School N.H.S. Near Hastings (Sussex), 27.06.29, nestling, by E. F. Wood and B. T. Brookes. MONTAGU’S HARRIER (Circus pygargus). Hickling (Norfolk), 24.6.30, young, by S. Wilson. a. vidalit). Near Canterbury, 18.4.30, by J. R. Brook. Elham (Kent), 3.7.30, by a. sylvatica). St. Neots (Hunts.), 26.6.30, Horsham (Sussex), 19.5.30, Near Brighton, April, 1930, Lagarde Where ringed, July, 1930, by ringer. Ditto WAT BI). Ditto ditto. Warnford (Hants.), Aug., 1930, by J. Sibley. Where ringed, .24.7.30, by E. Stanley. Where ringed, 21.6.30, ringer. by torquilla). Pangbourne (Berks.),19.6.30, by €: Turner: canorus). Lembé, Eboko, French Kamerun, W. _ Africa, 30.1.30, by Administrator, J. L. Rowlinson. Kelling (Norfolk), June, 1930, by R. M. Garnett. Where ringed, 23.9.30, by J. W. Clarke. by W. R. Hewitt. by E. Chance. by E. EL St. John. by A. G. Levett. (Cantal), France, 21.9.30, by E. Barthélemy. vot. Xxxiv.1 RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. No. RR.1926 103295 105940 105926 106595 100868 105884 AD.630 26982 AF.142 AF.229 AF.146 AF.185 AF.219 AF.106 AF.215 AF.236 AF.153 AF.206 AF.143 AF.232 Place and Date Ringed. 187 Place and Date Recovered. SPARROW-HAWK (Accipiter n. nisus). Curthwaite (Cumb.), 26.6.29, nestling, by R. H. Brown. HERON (Ardea c. Almondbank (Perths.), 22.5.30, nestling, by Lord Scone. Crofton (Cumb.), 1.5.29, nestling, by R. H. Brown. Floriston (Cumb.), 5.5.28, nestling, by R. H. Brown. Uldale (Cumb.), 7.6.29, nest- ling, by R. H. Brown. Faringdon (Berks.), 12.5.29, by ¢. J. D’Aeth. Fawley, Henley (Bucks.), 10.5.30, young, for Lt.-Col. Pollitt. NearDalston(Cumb.),4.6.30, by ringer. cinerea). Inishmore (Galway), 19.8.30, by J. Morris. (Dumbartons.), roge, by L. jf. Arrochar April, Rintoul. Near Dalston (Cumb.), March, 1930, by ringer. Cockermouth (Cumb.), April, 1930, by J. Bacon. Wirtlington (Oxon.), 25.4.30, by E. King. Near Spalding (Lincs.), early Noy.,. Toso, by J: W. Clarkson. SHELD-DUCK (Tadorna tadorna). Tentsmuir (Fife), 25.4.30,ad., by Lord Scone. Near Scharhoérn Is., R. Elbe, Germany, 5.9.30, by A. Fesubert. MALLARD (Anas p. platyrhyncha). Leswalt (Wigtown.), 18.1.29, ad., by M. Portal. Hickling (Norfolk), 8.3.30, ad., by A. W. Boyd. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Pant-Glas (Caernarvon.), 2.10.30, by C. Wauchope. Where ringed, 27.9.30, by J. Vincent. Ditto 15.9.30. Ditto 15.9.30. Ditto 15.7-30 Ditto 19.4.30. Ditto 24.9.30. Ranworth (Norfolk), 13.8.30, by H. J. Cator. Thisted Fiord, Mors Is. (Jylland), Denmark, 5.10.30, by C. C. Andersen. Near Norrképing, Sweden, 8.8.30, by H. Aschan. Lake Hjelmar, Central Sweden, 2.9.30, by J. C. Montgomery. , Near Emden, E. Friesland, Germany, 7.8.30, by R. Dross. Plauer See, burg, Germany, by J. Ausen. S.E. Mecklen- 15-7-30, 188 No. 79109 79112 76180 RR.8669 104113 102313 107522 106399 107524 106370 106305 103419 104207 104488 104120 104115 104676 105121 103861 BRITISH BIRDS. Place and Date Ringed. [VoL. xxIV. Place and Date Recovered. TEAL (Anas c. crecca). Leswalt (Wigtown.), 18.1.29, ad., by M. Portal. Ditto 10,.2.28. Longtown (Cumb.), 3.3.25, by Sir R. Graham, Bt. WIGEON (Anas penelope). och even (I roth 1929 ” and 4 28th 9 12th 1930 * 13th Ps 26th on 15th ARRIVAL FLIGHT. The majority of adults, as in the past two years, arrived from a south-easterly direction, flying north-westwards through the Broad Sound between Skomer and Skokholm, but many passed on the outer or south side of the latter island, reuniting with the main body westwards of the two islands. Comparatively few birds seem to arrive from the westward, and on several favourable occasions when I was sailing home from Grassholm I observed only single birds at wide intervals flying eastwards thus. The same may perhaps be said of the northward, only scattered birds converging upon Skomer from St. Bride’s Bay, as far as I have observed on the few favourable occasions when I have been in that neighbourhood. I was puzzled to know exactly where the main flock mustered before dark, when, on misty days, they arrived before sunset. From careful watching I am now able to say that they spread themselves in large flocks along a line roughly drawn from a point nearly one mile W.S.W. from Skokholm Head to a point about one mile N.W. of Skomer Head. Here they fly to and fro over the water, the flocks mingling and separating indiscriminately, now flying one way, now wheeling and circling back upon other flocks. Especially in calm weather, they may rest for long periods VOL. XxIv.] HABITS OF MANX SHEARWATER. — 203 on the water, washing, preening, drinking, and diving for food. The arrival of a fresh flock is then often the signal for a general rising, and it is most striking to witness the stretching of hundreds of long black wings simultaneously in flight. On rough days when the wind lies somewhere between S. and W. it is frequently possible to see the flocks from the cliffs of the W. side of Skokholm, for on those evenings the birds approach to within a few score yards of the shore and carry out their graceful manceuvres and gyrations. They are certainly at their best in such weather. Having occasion to burn a few acres of old half-dead heather on March 30th, I planned to have it well alight in time to witness the landing of the Shearwaters, and was repaid by what must have been a unique and very beautiful sight. There was a strong south wind blowing which kept the flames very bright and carried the smoke away swiftly and low. The first birds arrived just before 8 p.m., flying in from the north coast, head to wind. Half an hour later there were hundreds in the air, their white breasts flashing as they caught the firelight. The strong wind enabled them to advance very slowly, with wings fluttering or quivering after the manner of a hovering Kestrel. Many in the area of firelight did not pass by at once but, time after time, after slowly advancing with trembling wings, would retreat with the wind again without changing their head-to-wind position or perceptibly altering the motion of their wings; in short, they appeared to be flying “‘ backwards ”’ at one level as easily as they advanced. Other birds would fly fairly close to the flames or the burnt ground and then shoot upwards perpen- dicularly with great speed until their white breasts barely showed in the sky. They flew at a height above the ground varying from ten feet to as far as eye (say 100 feet up) could see. On calm nights I have observed they proceed, as a rule, by a series of rapid side-to-side glides, but on this night they only glided when falling away to one side, and also they would glide forward shakily with wings much curved just before they dropped to earth. Many landed at the mouths of their holes, but some on the grass away from holes, and I was rather surprised to see a few of them walking about quite freely, though with frequent pauses, on bent tarsi, with that springy movement which such a walking position gives to the body. When approached they made short little runs upright on their toes, as described in my first paper. It is now clear to me that the adult 204 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. Shearwater, when not alarmed and confused, can travel fairly well on land and is able to carry out the business of courtship, home-hunting, nest-building, and not improbably of coition (though I have no evidence of this last) with less awkwardness than is generally imagined. I observed that when encountering irregularities of ground or surmounting the tumble-down hedges they fluttered their wings very slightly in the strong wind and this helped them over easily and without that struggling with feet, wings and beak which generally occurs on calm nights. CALL-NOTE, It was most noticeable that very few birds of the vast number flying above the burning heather were calling, yet the cries were as numerous as usual. More noise was made by those birds which had been (and still were as yet) under- ground all day. In my first paper the accent on the call-note was omitted by error. I would amend it as below :— ktk-kttk-kik-66. When handled, the adults as well as the fledged young scream this same note in their alarm. COURTSHIP AND NEST-BUILDING. At present I am not able to give any further details of courtship and this, as well as the meaning of their many nocturnal activities outside and in the burrow, still needs investigating. I have good reasons for conjecturing that there are some quite elaborate and prolonged ceremonies in connexion with nest-making. I found that the usual lining of dead grass, bracken, etc., was already added to the scrape in the recess in every hole I examined on April 3rd, a month before general laying begins. In several burrows running where bluebell and vernal squill flourished, I found the bulbs of these plants lining the nests most decoratively. These bulbs had, of course, been torn from the walls of the burrows, indicating a further nocturnal activity of the nesting adults. MARKED NESTS OF 1929 IN 1930. Nest A.—The same pair, 81 and 82, returned to their burrow and were successful in rearing their young one. As usual, they deserted it in the end, but I was unable to keep up a continuous observation. VOL. xxIv.] HABITS OF MANX SHEARWATER 205 Nest B.—The same pair, 90 and 83, were present on some days in the latter half of March and this season were successful in rearing a young bird. It was most interesting to find the intruder of last year, 100, also present on some days. In fact, the promiscuity in this burrow before go and 83 began to sit was extraordinary. Thus, on March 22nd I found go and 83 alone together; on the 26th no birds ; on the 27th roo alone; on the 29th roo and an unringed bird which I ringed tor; on the 30th 83 and Ior together ! This was the night of the heather fire, and when I examined the nest at ro p.m. I found 83 and ror still together in the recess, but while I was watching another bird suddenly arrived with a thump upon the turf, four yards from the entrance to the burrow. It was 100! On the 31st my surmise that 100 had a new mate in IoI was rather upset by finding ror and a new (unringed) bird in the nest, as also on April 1st and 2nd; none on the 3rd ; 100 was alone on the 4th. On May 5th I was further bemused to find 89 and 84 sitting together in the recess (84, it may be recalled, was mate last year of g2 in nest D, which is situate some dozen yards from nest B), while a few inches along the passage was 101! After this, however, 83 and go remained in more or less complete possession, and this year had better fortune with their egg. Nest C.—On March 26th, 99 was with an unringed bird, but on the 29th and 30th was with its mate of last year, 88. This burrow was in disrepair and was trodden in by sheep on the 31st. Nest D.—This fell in during the winter. 84 (see nest B) alone recorded. Nest E.—This burrow was lengthened by rabbits and deepened at least another two feet to run under a rock, so that I could seldom reach any birds that may have been present. I could sometimes touch their bills (and get duly rewarded). On March 30th and 31st there was a pair of which I managed to catch one, which proved to have no ring. This was a favourite burrow with rabbits, but I found a nestling Shearwater nearly fledged in this nest on September 4th. Nest F was unoccupied, the passage being shorter than ever this year. Nest G fell in during the winter, the trap-door sod giving Way as in nests C and D. It is unwise to draw definite conclusions from such a limited observation, but there is at least every evidence for and none 206 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL, XXIV. against stating that the Shearwater pairs for life. Witness the return of 81 and 82 in nest A; of go and 83 in nest B, where also 89 and 100 returned, and of 88 and gg in nest C. What does the promiscuity in early spring point to? Do all these birds in the season of courtship merely use the burrow haphazardly as a hiding-place during the day ? Another interesting observation was that while the moon was waxing from April 3rd to the 7th hardly any birds remained in the holes by day. In fact, I found no birds at all on the 3rd, 6th and 7th in eleven nests I opened. Correla- tively, not more than half, at a very rough estimate, landed at night during that period. FOOD. Several people were interested enough to write and ask if I could investigate the food of the Shearwater. The Practical Handbook gives “small fish (sprats, etc.) and offal of fish ; also jaws of cephalopods found in stomach’. It has often been stated that they eat sorrel and beetles. Sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) grows very plentifully around every burrow and I found the dried stems in several nest-linings. It may be that the birds cut down and swallow a certain amount of the short stems of this dwarf plant when they are sitting outside their holes, and perhaps they may pick up the beetles which are found in and about almost every rabbit- hole, although I have not seen them do either. In my first paper I stated and proved that the nestling was deserted from about the sixtieth day, thereafter receiving no food. Although I have examined the stomachs of one or two fledged youngsters and always found them empty, I wished to have this observation confirmed by more expert opinion. Dr. C. B. Ticehurst kindly consented to examine and report. Of two young birds, caught and killed outside their holes as they stood midnight “ vigil’? preparatory to their first flight to the sea, on August 16th, and which I sent to him, the stomachs proved empty. In August and September, when by day the holes are occupied only by downy nestlings, it is not difficult to wait for and catch the parents coming in at night to feed these young. They are quick to enter the burrows and to give the nestlings the entire contents of their stomachs before they settle down to the usual noisy conversation between all three (parents and young). When caught before entering it is a matter of seconds only before they throw up this burden of semi-digested food. Some of the adults which I caught disgorged before I could prevent them, and this, I think, VOL. xx1v.] HABITS OF MANX SHEARWATER. —.207 accounts for Dr. Ticehurst finding the stomachs of three out of five adults which I sent him practically empty. Dr..Ticehurst reports :— “Of seven Manx Shearwaters received, two were young birds fully grown with a trace of down still on the nape. Five were adults. SToMACH CONTENTS. Both the young birds’ stomachs were empty. One adult had a full stomach, one was partly full, the rest were empty or practically so. The contents consisted of a white, semi-fluid, grumous mass, semi- digested. On examination this proved to consist entirely of fish remains which smelt strongly of herring and there is little doubt that young herring had formed the food supply. There were present a few Nematode worms. I am indebted to Mr. Stevens of the Royal Scottish Museum for confirmation. Note I.—The stomach of the Manx Shearwater, or rather the pro- ventriculus, is an enormously dilatable sac, which when full fills up the entire body cavity. The gizzard is in comparison a tiny affair, about one inch in diameter, and not markedly muscular. In each case it was practically empty and presumably its only function is to arrest such fish bones as are undissolved. Note II.—Unlike the Storm-Petrel, in which species it is not uncom- mon, I failed to find any trace of a right ovary in the Manx Shearwater. Craup B. TicEHURST.” MOULT. I am also indebted to Dr. Ticehurst for the following extremely interesting and significant note. “These adult Shearwaters on August 16th proved to be in a com- pletely fresh moulted state of plumage, every feather having been moulted. As their young had not yet left their nest-burrows, this advanced state of post-nuptial moult is remarkable and could only happen in a species where the incubation- and fledging-periods are prolonged. I can recall no other case where the adults are practically through the moult before the young are fully fledged. ”’ YOUNG BIRDS’ FLIGHT TO SEA. Where the cliff was more shelving than steep I noticed that some of the young birds suffered severely in their efforts to reach the sea, especially where there was no wind. The weaker birds crashed heavily on the sharp rocks all the way down. Though most of them reached the sea alive, I found several stunned, two killed, and two fallen into crevices out of which they could never expect to scramble. On September 25th at 3.30 p.m. I saw a young bird come out of a hole and flutter along towards the cliffs, only to fall into another rabbit-hole near the edge. This is the only time I have seen a Shearwater make a deliberate diurnal movement above ground, and in this case it was undoubtedly prompted by that overpowering urge to reach the sea which all these starved deserted fledglings possess. (208) NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF SCILLY. BY A. W. BOYD. SINCE Clark and Rodd’s paper on the Birds of Scilly in the Zoologist of 1906 there have been several short papers on them in British Birds: by Mr. H. M. Wallis (Vol. XVIL., p. 55 and Vol. XVIIL., p. 73), by myself (Vol. XVIII., p. 106) and by Mr. and Mrs. Seton Gordon (Vol. XXIII., p. 18). In 1920 I spent the last ten days of September in Scilly, and was there for ten days from September 12th to 21st this year—ten years later. Notes made on each occasion show that the status at this time of year of many species, both resident and migrant, is apparently quite unchanged. The normal residents: Song- Thrush, Blackbird, House-Sparrow, Stonechat, Linnet, Robin, Hedge-Sparrow, Wren, Rock-Pipit, etc., and the partly- resident: Greater Black-backed and Herring-Gulls, Shags, etc., were just as abundant as ever. Other species were noted in practically the same numbers as ten years ago: Starlings, not numerous, but in fair numbers; Sky-Larks and Meadow-Pipits, fairly common ; Wheatears and Swallows,common ; House-Martin, seen only once in each year; and waders, such as Dunlin, Sanderling, Redshank, Curlew, Oyster-Catcher, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, with exactly the same comparative frequency. Some idea of the limited number of species to be seen in Scilly may be gathered from the fact that we observed on the islands and the sea near by only sixty-eight to seventy species during these ten days, though the actual number of birds seen was very considerable. Most common migrating Passeres were almost altogether absent—only three Willow- Wrens or Chiffchaffs were seen and Common Redstarts twice. The following notes may be of interest. CHAFFINCH (Fringilla c. celebs)—A few on Tresco only ; never more than four together. CrossBILL (Lowia c. curvirvostva)—My wife called my attention to three—one a crimson male—feeding within four yards of us on thistle heads on St. Mary’s on September 12th. The keeper on Tresco told me that on September 9th he saw a flock feeding on thistles that he estimated to be fully 200 and that prior to that he had seen a few— exactly how long before he could not remember; he attributed to them attacks on some of the apples. Clark and Rodd record them in 1868 and root. Wuitt Wacrtalit (Motacilla a. alba) —Common on five islands visited. On September 18th they were particularly noticeable on St. Agnes and Gugh, scattered everywhere over the heather-clad headlands and . voL. xxiv.| NOTES ON BIRDS OF SCILLY. 209 beaches. I did not identify a single Pied Wagtail satisfactorily ; all the adult birds I saw were undoubtedly alba, Clark and Rodd: “ not ‘uncommon casual autumn visitor coming over with the migrant flocks of Pied Wagtails.” Grey Wacrtair (Motacilla c. cinerea)—On September 19th and 20th at Holy Vale, St. Mary’s. Great Tir (Parus major newtoni)—Repeatedly seen on three islands. The species seems to have made a slight, but definite, increase. SEDGE-WARBLER (Acrocephalus scheenobenus).—One on St. Mary’s, ‘September 17th. GREENLAND WHEATEAR (Cinanthe @. leucorrhoa)—Among the ‘mumbers of migrating Common Wheatears on September 18th on (Gugh I watched a cock feeding with a cock Common Wheatear and tthe difference in size and brightness was most evident. Doubtless cothers of the scores of passing Wheatears seen in the islands were salso of this form. Clark and Rodd do not mention the Greenland \Wheatear. SpottED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa s. striata).—Seen on St. Mary’s ‘four times between September 12th and 2oth—not more than two stogether. Clark and Rodd: “ probably a regular autumn visitor.” Prep FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa h. hypoleuca).—On September 13th sand 15th several together on Tresco. On September 14th and 2oth eon St. Mary’s. Clark and Rodd: “ occur not infrequently in twos and tthrees during autumn migration.” SAND-MartTIN (Riparia r. riparia).—One with Swallows on St. Mary’s m September 17th. Clark and Rodd: “a casual bird of passage in pring and autumn.” KINGFISHER (Alcedo a. ispida).—One at Porth Hellick, St. Mary’s, m September 17th. PrintarL (Anas a. acuta).—One, a brown bird, on September 16th, on the Abbey Pool, Tresco. Clark and Rodd: “ appear only in severe weather.”’ WIGEON (Anas penelope) —Two on the Long Pool, Tresco, on eptember 15th. LittLe GREBE (Podiceps r. ruficollis) —One on the Long Pool, Tresco, m September 13th. TurTLE-DoveE (Streptopelia t. turtur)—One on St. Mary’s on september 2oth. Clark and Rodd: “ occurs rarely in autumn.” Rurr (Philomachus pugnax).—A young and tame bird on September *5th by the fresh-water pool on Bryher, where I saw two in September, eg20. Clark and Rodd record three immature birds. It is, perhaps, orth adding that on September 22nd, on our return to Cornwall, we w another very tame bird in similar plumage on Marazion Marsh, ear Penzance. GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia).—Several on St. Mary’s on ptember 12th and again later. One on St. Agnes on September 18th. WHIMBREL (Numenius ph. pheopus).—One only on St. Agnes on eptember 18th. A boatman called it a “‘ Harvest-Curlew’’, a name | have not known before. Clark and Rodd say that it was plentiful tinety years ago in early autumn, but by 1906 few in autumn. TURNSTONE (Arvenaria i. interpres).—It should, I think, be put on cord that Mr. C. J. King, in a booklet Wild Nature in Scillonia, most phatically denies that he has seen the Turnstone nesting in Scilly— ‘statement attributed to him in Clark and Rodd’s list. Common Gutt (Larus c. canus).—Seen only once—several on the 210 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. Abbey Pool, Tresco, on September 16th. In September, 1920, also, I saw Common Gulls only once—several on September 28th on St. Martin’s. Clark and Rodd: ‘“ small winter parties seem to be not uncommon.” LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus gyvaellsii)—Very few seen : twice on St. Mary’s on September 14th, but one of these looked like L. fuscus fuscus, or possibly intermedius. On September 18th I saw perhaps six graellsii on St. Agnes. Clearly Clark and Rodd’s state- ment: ‘‘ most abundant all the year round ’”’ is incorrect. (See also Brit. Birds, Vol. XXIII., p. 19). SANDWICH TERN (Steyvna s. sandvicensis)—Two on a rock at St. Martin’s on September 15th and two flying between St. Mary’s and Tresco on September 2tst. (211) INCUBATION AND REARING OF YOUNG BY WOOD-PIGEON. BY Lr.-Cot. B. BH. RYVES. WIrtH reference to previous notes on the subject (Vol. XXIL., pp. 205, 208 and 332) the following further details may be of interest. On the morning of September 6th, 1930, after two hours’ work, a pair of Wood-Pigeons (Columba p. palumbus). com- pleted the construction of their nest, built on top of the old ‘one, in which two young had been successfully reared during ‘the previous June. The nest was in full view from a window of my house. The male was the sole selector and carrier of material to ‘the hen on the nest, and she was the sole constructor. In the case of both nests, numerous dead needles of the Pinus insignis were taken as lining. Only one needle at a time ywas carried and was held at the base with the leaves lying son each side of the bird’s neck, the tips pointing towards this tail. On the same afternoon (the 6th) the first egg was laid, tbut I did not record the date on which the second was ‘deposited From then, throughout the periods of incubation and »brooding the nestlings, the nest was never vacant except for the minute or less occupied in one bird relieving the other. The hen undertook the night work, the male brooding for considerably the greater part of the day. On the occasions that I watched the nest through the whole “f the day-time, the hen was relieved by the male about co to 11 a.m. The latter then brooded steadily till the hen cook on again some time in the afternoon, after which there vas no further relief. I could identify one bird from the other by the male’s _ roader neck patches and greater size, readily distinguishable then the two birds were seen close together during the nest- suilding and reliefs. I had noted these differences previously, vyhen they mated. The distinctions were perhaps hardly fficient to make identification with absolute certainty vyhen one bird was seen entirely alone, though I reckoned at, even then, I could recognize one from the other. On September 23rd—seventeen days after the first egg vad been laid—one egg was hatched. I cannot definitely ty when the other egg was hatched, but I feel fairly certain nat this occurred on the 24th, for on the 25th I observed 212 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. that two nestlings were being fed, and neither of them gave me the impression of being a very recently hatched bird. According to H. Saunders, two to three days elapse before } the second egg is laid. Of the several nests with young that _ I have closely watched I have not been able to detect any such difference in size and development of the chicks as would indicate any considerable disparity in their ages. These observations have led me to the belief that the Wood- Pigeon must be at least capable of laying on consecutive days. oe October 4th full-brooding ceased, the chicks being left for an hour. The glasses showed me no apparent difference in their size or development. From the 5th to 8th inclusive the intervals between brooding steadily increased until, on the gth, day-brooding entirely ceased. On the 11th night-brooding also ceased. On October 15th one youngster quitted the nest and perched on a branch a few feet distant, but returned for the night. On the 16th both perched outside the nest, and, from then onwards, spent the day on and out of the nest. On the 20th they roosted for the first time out of the nest. When food was brought the parent invariably flew direct to the nest, to which the youngsters fluttered from wherever they happened to be perched. On the 27th, for the first time, they were fed on a branch about 12 feet away. Beyond flapping of the wings the feeding took place in complete silence. On the 28th, in the morning, they were fed on the same branch again. About 2 p.m. I saw them suddenly take wing and fly with extraordinary strength and speed to a distant wood. This full “ adult-flight ’’ seemed surprising in view of the fact that, except for occasional short jumps and flutters, they had never before used their wings. The _ eldest fledgling was 35 days old when the two birds thus quitted the nest-tree in full flight. During the last three days of their stay I heard them, soon after it became light, utter very low and soft cooing notes. The parents roosted nowhere in the vicinity of the nest. On the 29th the two fledged birds returned to the nest-tree and remained until and including the 31st. On November Ist they had gone and I did not see them again. It may be worth mentioning that, during incubation, the relieved bird departed, on several occasions, with a sharp . wing-clap, but I never heard the “clap’’ when there were young in the nest. No. AE.681 AE.683 AE.682 AE.684 AE.688 AE.689 AE.690 AE.700 AE.699 77652 _RR.8607 ~RR.1960 ~RR.4083 22324 25824 ~RR.4473 RS.3730 R.3172 W.5724 V.7690 U.1369 (213) RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. (Continued) Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Recovered. MANX SHEARWATER (Puffinus p. puffinus). Skokholm (Pembs.), 9.5.29, ad., by R. M. Lockley. Ditto ditto. ° Ditto 15.5-29. Ditto ditto. Ditto 16.5.29. Ditto 17.5.29. Ditto 18.5.29. Ditto 20.5.29. Ditto 26.5.29. Where ringed, 29.3.30, by ringer. Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto nN nv AIHAROGUGS Go on Go Gr WWW WWW WW 299999950 NNN WOOD-PIGEON (Columba p. palumbus). Scone Estate (Perths.), 13.5.26, by Lord Scone. Ditto, 26.6.29, nestling. Glenorchard (Stirling.), 3.5.29, nestling, by Bartholomew. Kirkmahoe (Dumfries.), 11.5.28, nestling, by W. and A. B. Duncan. Penrith (Cumb.), May, 1926, young, by H. J. Moon. Ditto July, 1929. Near where ringed, 15.10.30, by R. B. Bullock. Near where ringed, August, 1930, by ringer. Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, April, 1930, by C. A. Scott. Auldgirth (Dumfries), 21.7.30» by T. McNaught. Where ringed, 29.7.30, by W. Head. Near Wolverhampton, 22.2.30, by A. H. Dun- calfe. TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia t. turtur). Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 8.7.29, ad. by A. W. Boyd. Skokholm (Pemb.), 25.6.30, young, by H. F. Witherby. Where ringed, 25.6.30, by ringer. OYSTER-CATCHER (Hematopus o. ostralegus). Mesquer France, Gourdet. (Loire Inférieure), 12.9.30, by R. LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus). Comrie (Perths.), 5.6.30, by Lord Scone. Near Glen Clova (Forfar.), 6.0.27, young, by I. L. Smith, Lethnot (Forfar.), 18.7.27, young, by H. G. Watson. Arbigland (Kirkcudbr.), 11.5.28, young, by Lord Scone. Newbury (Berks.), 11.10.30, by F. B. Cleak. Kirriemuir (Forfar.), 21.4.30, by D. Cameron. Where ringed, April, 1930, by ringer. Where ringed, 25.3.30, by J. Calson. 214 No. Y.7722 X.7307 Z.4965 T.8173 U.4832 S204! = Ab esis U.8789 V.3775 V.6992 U.3684 U.4008 T.6079 R.6330 T.5980 RR.3909 AB.487 AH.421 BRITISH BIRDS. Place and Date Ringed. [VOL. XXIV. Place and Date Recovered. LAPWING ‘(continued). Glenorchard (Stirling.), 14.6.25, young, by J. Bartholomew. Ditto 8.6.26. Ditto 13.60.24. Penrith (Cumb.), May, 1929, young, by H. J. Moon. Ditto May, 1928. Ullswater 1929, young, Moon. Kirkby Lonsdale (Westmor- land), May, 1929, by H. J. Moon. Sedbergh (Yorks.), June, 1928, young, by H. J. Moon. Raughton Head (Cumb.), 10.6.27, nestling, by R. H. Brown. Troutbeck (Cumb.), 24.5.28, young, by L. W. Streat- field. Middleton - in - Teesdale (Yorks.), 13.5.28, young, by Lt.-Col. Pollitt. Newchurch - in - Pendle (Lanes.), 17.5.28, nestling, by D. F. Jopson. Near Northwich (Ches.), 3.6.29, young, by A. W. Boyd. REDSHANK (Tvinga Rockcliffe Marsh (Cumb.), 17.5.30, nestling, by R. H. Brown. Hickling (Norfolk), 23.5.29, ad., by A. W. Boyd. (Cumb.), June, Dye ela CURLEW (Numenius a. arquata). Almondbank (Perths.), 15.6.29, nestling, by Lord Scone. Penrith (Cumb.), May, 1929, young, by H. J. Moon. Near Skirwith (Cumb.), 15.6.30, nestling, by R. H. Brown. Where ringed, April, 1930, per ringer. Campsie Hills (Stirling.), 31.3.30, by G. G. Mac- donald. Borrisokane (Tipperary), 24.12.29, by E. Wood. Near Carlisle (Cumb.), Oct. or Novy., 2920, ‘by Mr. Wallace, per ringer. Kilmore (Tipperary), Jan., 1930, by T. Hogan. Near Whitchurch (Salop.), I.t2.30, by EB. Lowe. Skelmersdale (Lancs.), Oct., 1930, by J. Yates. Near Tebay (Westmorland), 20.5.30, by T. B. Wright, per A. Astley. Aspatria (Cumb.), August, 1930, by J. N. Johnson. Carlisle (Cumb.), 1930, by W. Gate. August, Where ringed, March, 1930, by F. Wilkinson. Blackburn (Lancs.), 18.7.30, by J. R. Sumner. Where ringed, 28.3.30, by J. Moore. t. totanus). Polbathic (Cornwall) ,24.7.30, by A. Gayson. Where ringed, 24.4.30, by J. Vincent. Ballylongford (Kerry), 15.6.30, by T. O’Sullivan. Tralee (Kerry), 7.9.30, by K. Reilly. Killarney (Kerry), 14.10.30, by W. Shanahan. OL. XXIV.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. No. 2R.8131 S.9349 U.5892 V.1530 X.4273 X.4463 W.8751 V.6642 .7707 U.6433 U.6539 \W.878r V.4674 $.5895 S.6802 78.6253 ‘S.7355 Place and Date Ringed. 215 Place and Date Recovered. SNIPE (Capella g. gallinago). Longtown (Cumb.), 25.3.29, by Sir R. Graham. Abbey Leix (Queen’s Co.), 17.2.30, by Mrs. Bland. WOODCOCK (Scolopax r. rusticola). Coupar - Angus’ (Forfar.), 21.5.30, nestling, by Lord Scone. Ditto II.5.29. Scone Estate(Perths.), 27.7.27, young, by Lord Scone. Almondbank (Perths.), 27.5.26, nestling, by Lord Scone. Strathord (Perths.), 5.6.26, nestling, by Lord Scone. Meigle (Perths.), 4.5.27, young, by C. Walker. Murthly (Perths.), 9.6.28, young, for Lord Scone. Dalswinton (Dumfries.), 19.5.30, nestling, by Lord Scone. Kirkmichael (Dumfries.), 9.6.28, nestling, for W. and A. B. Duncan. Alnwick (Northumb.),7.5.30, young, by Duke of Nor- thumberland. Abbeystead, Lancaster, June, 1927, young, by H. W. Robinson, Meigle (Perths.), 2.10.30, by J. K. Cassels. Where ringed, 28.11.30, by W. N. Graham-Menzies. Near ‘ Kenmare (Kerry), 8.1.30, by T. Clifford. Tullybeagles(Perths,), 14.8.30, by J. Frazer. Glenalmond (Perths,), 17.10.30, by J. Ferguson. Near where ringed, 31.12.29, by R. Kinloch-Smyth. Where ringed, Nov., 1930, by H. J. Grierson. Penpont (Dumfries.), 25.10.30, by H. Gladstone. Near where ringed, 1.11.30, by C. Logan. Near where ringed, 28.11.30, by ringer. Wray, Lancaster, 1.11.30, by L. A. Smith. SANDWICH TERN (Sterna s. sandvicensis). Farne Is. (Northumb.), 4.7.30, young, by Mrs. T. E. Hodgkin. Walney I. (Lancs.), 5.6.29, young, by H.W. Robinson. Salthouse (Norfolk), young, 1.7.29, by R. M. Garnett. Blakeney Point (Norfolk), 13.7.29, young, by A. W. Boyd. Scolt Head (Norfolk), 7.7.30, young, by R. M. Garnett. Banff, 25.8.30, by W. W. Gardiner. Mossamedes, Portuguese West Africa, July,1930, by H. E. O. Gilbert and Seculo, Port Elizabeth, S. Africa, Jan., 1930, by B. W. Jordan. Ivory Coast, French West Africa, Feb., 1930, by M. G, Constantin. Near St. Valery-sur-Somme, France, 2.9.30, by d’H. de Saint-Sulpice and Centre Nat. de Recherches Agron., Versailles. 216 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. No. Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Recovered, SANDWICH TERN (continued). S.9954 Scolt Head (Norfolk),28.6.30, I. of Amrum, Norddorfer- ng, by A. W. Boyd. strand, Germany, 23.8.30, young, by y by Dr. H. Kirchner. S.5098 Ditto ditto. Grandcamp-les-bains — (Cal- vados), France, mid-Octo- ber, 1930, by M. Dubosq. S.4975 Ditto ditto. Vila Real de Santo Antonio, south Portugal, 25.11.30, by D. Whiting. COMMON TERN (Sterna h. hirundo). 4306 Ainsdale (Lancs.), 2.7.21, Burgh Head (Moray), 5.5.30, nestling, by F. W. Holder. by L. Gordon. BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus r. ridibundus). 30870 Ravenglass (Cumb.), 13.6.10, Where ringed, May, 1930, by young, by H. W. Robinson W. Marchant. and F. W. Smalley. 28733 Ravenglass (Cumb.),17.5.13, Nr. Spalding (Lincs.),8.12.30, young, by H. W. Robin- by A. K. Maples. son. COMMON GULL (Larus c. canus). RR.2895 Loch Craignish (Argyll.), Carndonagh (Donegal), 1.6.28, nestling, by P. K. 1.11.30, by E. O’Doherty. Chance. HERRING-GULL (Larus a. argentatus). AE.613 Walney I. (Lancs.), 15.6.30, Dalton-on-Tees, 28.8.30, by young,by H.W. Robinson. W. Houndell. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus f. graelisit). AG.115 Rockchffe Marsh (Cumb.), Casablanca, Morocco, 3.2.30, 25.7.29, nestling, by R. H. per Compagnie Fruitiére Brown. de Maroc. AL.146 Ditto 4.7.30. Marinha Grande, Portugal, T9,10;30, by El. ae Or Gilbert and Diario de Noticias. 26459 Foulshaw (Westmorland), Near where ringed, 4.5.30, by Tef-2q, YOUR, Dy ere, We E. U. Savage. Robinson, GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marinus). 104214 Maughold Head (1.0.M.), Eastriggs (Dumfries.), pls young, by FE. As 29.5.30, by R. Robertson. raine. VOL. xxlv.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. 217 No, Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Recovered. RAZORBILL (Alca torda). RS.3953 Handa I. (Suth.)., 3.7.30, Kristiansand, S. Norway, young, by E. Cohen. 26.10.30, by T. Henriksen. RS.3993 Ditto. Ditto, by L. N. Marciissen. RS.3962 Ditto. Off Ox6 Light, Kristiansand, 15.10.30, by B. Reinharth. RS.3959 Ditto. Tvedestrand, S. Norway, 31.10.30, by T. Tallaksens. RS.3954 Ditto. Roile Klint, Little Belt (Jylland), Denmark, 7.11.30, by C. C. Andersen. PUFFIN (Fratercula a. grabe). AD.162 Orkney, June, 1928, young, Where ringed, May, 1930, by H. W. Robinson. by ringer. LAND-RAIL (Crex crex).* S.9180 Scone Palace, Perth, 28.6.30, Commune de _ Fresselines nestling, by Lord Scone. (Creuse), France, 14.9.30, by A. Alamassée. * A Land-Rail ringed privately by Mr. C. Mulholland at Down- | patrick (co. Down), Ireland, 20.7.29, was reported near Tours, France, 15.9.29 (lrish Nat. Journal, Vol. III., p. 55). INCUBATION- AND FLEDGING-PERIODS OF BRITISH BIRDS Tue following cases during 1930 are for West Sussex :— Incubation- Fledging- period period Remarks, in days. in days. GREENFINCH 13 — 5 eggs: 2 young (Chlovis ch. chloris) reared. GOLDFINCH re I4-15 5 eggs: all young (Carduelis c. britannica) reared. WILLOW-WARBLER Te ied 7 ees: 2 youle (Phylloscopus t. trochilus) reared. SEDGE-WARBLER 126 — 5 eggs: none (Acrocephalus schenobenus) reared. NIGHTINGALE = II-I2 5 eggs: all reared. (Luscinia m. megarhyncha) MooRrHEN 20 — 6 eggs: all young (Gallinula ch. chloropus) reared. All periods are calculated from the day on which the last egg was laid to the date of hatching of last egg. In those cases marked with an asterisk hatching took place on two days. RAYMOND CARLYON-BRITTION. The following data were obtained during 1930 in west Middlesex and north-west Surrey. Incubation- Fledging- period period Remarks, in days. in days. GREENFINCH 14 Tis eerie all (Chloris ch. chloris) young reared. do. -- Between 5 eggs: 3 young 14-15 reared. days. do. —_ I2t 5 eggs: 5 young reared. BULLFINCH 13 12 5 eggs: 4 young (Pyrrhula p. nesa) reared. CHAFFINCH — I4 4 eggs: all young (Fringilla c. celebs) reared. do. 13 13 4 eggs: all young reared. do. 12 -- 5 eggs: all young reared. do. 12 14 5 eggs: 3 young reared. REED-BUNTING — 13 5 eggs: 4 young (Emberiza s. scheniclus) reared. VOL. XXIV. ] NOTES. 219 Incubation- Fledging- period period Remarks, in days. in days. RED-BACKED SHRIKE Between — 5 eggs: 4 young (Lanius c. collurio) 14 and reared. 15 days. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER 12 13 5 eggs: 4 young (Muscicapa s. striata) reared. WHITETHROAT 12 — 5 eggs: all (Sylvia c. communis) hatched. MistLE-THRUSH 14 Between 4 eggs: 3 young (Turdus v. viscivorus) 14-15 reared. days. Sonc-Turusu (T. ph. clarkei) — 14 4 eggs: all young reared. do. — 14 4 eggs: all young reared. BLACKBIRD (T. m. merula) 13 Between 4 eggs: all young 12-13 reared. days. do. 13 — 3 eggs: all hatched. do. 12 — 4 Of 285i: all hatched. do. Between = 4 eggs: all 12 and 13 hatched. days. do. — 14 4 eggs: all young reared. STONECHAT “= Between 5 eggs: 4 young (Saxicola t. hibernans) Ir and reared. 12 days. RoBIN —- 14 5 eggs: 3 young (Evithacus r. melophilus) reared. HEDGE-SPARROW 12 13 3 eggs: all young (Prunella m. occidentalis) reared. do. Between Between 4 eggs: all young Iz2and13 12-13 reared. days. days. do. — Between 4 eggs: 2 young 12-13 reared. days. do. —_ 12 5 eggs: 3 young reared. : WREN 14 I7t 5 eggs: I young (Troglodytes t. troglodytes) reared. A nest of Blackbird with six eggs hatched as follows: three on May 18th, two on roth, and one on 2oth. Where it is stated that hatching or fledging took place between two given days, this does not imply that it extended over one day, but merely that the event took place between the given dates. T. H. HARRISSON. W. R. HARRISSON. t+ Young left nest when examined, and might have stayed one or /more days longer if undisturbed. 220 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. INCUBATION- AND FLEDGING-PERIODS OF WREN AND WOOD-WARBLER. A nest of Wood-Warbler (Phylloscopus s. sibilatrix) with five eggs contained young on July 6th, though the eggs were still unhatched on the afternoon of July 5th. The young were fed by both parents. On July 15th, instead of gaping for food, the young crouched in fear when approached, but were still in the nest on the 16th and had flown by the morning of the 17th; fledging-period ten days. In the case of a Wren (Tvoglodytes t. troglodytes) the eggs were laid on consecutive days, but there was a pause of one day after the fourth egg in a clutch of five. The last egg was laid on June 19th; two were hatched on July 3rd and all by the 4th. The young flew from the nest when touched on July roth, but one flew less strongly than the others. Incubation-period, fourteen days; fledging-period, sixteen days. D. Dewar. IMMIGRATION OF CROSSBILLS IN 1930. ALTHOUGH the immigration of Crossbills this year does not appear to be in such numbers as to warrant its being recorded | in detail, the following notes which we have received may be added to those already given on pp. 155-6. NoRTHUMBERLAND AND DuRHAM.—Mr. G. W. Temperley has made careful enquiries from which it appears that there were definitely fresh arrivals of Crossbills in small numbers in 1930. At Alnwick they were seen September 15th, 25th, October 11th ; in Upper Redes- dale July 2nd, 29th, August 6th, September 13th, 21st, 29th and November 14th; near Hexham September 6th, October 1st; at South Shields July 16th, mid-August and mid-September; in Tees Valley, August 1st and 24th. YORKSHIRE.—Mr. J. C. S. Ellis is informed of a flock of about twenty near Flamborough about July 2oth. HERTFORDSHIRE.—Miss A. Hibbert-Ware saw a flock of about fifteen near Bishop’s Stortford on November 26th. HAMPSHIRE.—Mr. B. J. Ringrose saw about six in the New Forest on December 3rd. DISPOSAL.OF ADDLED EGGS BY Tits: WITH reference to the various notes on this subject, Vol. XXIII., pp. 94, 95 and 128, and Vol. XXIV., p. 190, I am able to give the following experience which appears to be another instance of egg removal on the part of the birds. One of my nesting logs this year (1930) was occupied by a Great Tit (Parus m. newtoni) and on May 8th contained six eggs slightly incubated. A further visit was made on May roth, when I flushed the sitting bird, which, however, now revealed only five eggs. VOL. XXIV. ] NOTES. 221 The missing egg, proved later to be addled, I found on the ground undamaged and immediately below the nesting log, which was placed on a tree at a height of five feet. The nest was in a very damp condition as the result of bad weather. : D. W. MusSELWHITE. HEN-HARRIER IN KENT. FRoM many sources news has reached me of people seeing “Large Hawks” in Kent and especially north-east of Maidstone, near and on the North Downs. We know that one at least was a Honey-Buzzard shot at Rochester, vide antea, page 162. On October 9th, 1930, a ‘‘ Large Hawk” was shot in Boxley Parish and sent to me for identification ; it was an immature male Hen-Harrier (Circus cyaneus) in beautiful condition; the stomach contained a complete House- Sparrow (Passer d. domesticus) with beak and legs. Appar- ently Harriers swallow small birds whole and without in any way first tearing them in pieces, afterwards ejecting the beak and legs. On the same occasion another “ Large Hawk ’’ was seen, but not identified. JAMES R. HALE. OSPREY IN SUSSEX. Wir reference to the recent notes on the Osprey, it may be of interest to note that during the first week in October, 1930, a bird of this species was unfortunately shot at Bucknill, near Lewes, Sussex. B. T. BRooKER. E. M. CAWKELL. GOOSANDER IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. On Saturday evening, December 6th, 1930, while waiting for the evening flight of duck near Langley, Slough, I shot what I took to be a Mallard from a group of three birds which came in to the pond. On picking the bird up, however, I found it to be a Goosander (Mergus m. merganser),a young male in its first winter plumage ; weight 3 lbs.6 0zs. Though Goosanders are common in winter at Staines and Tring Reser- voirs on the borders of Buckinghamshire there are few suitable places for them actually within the county and thus not many records. I have presented the specimen to the British Museum. G. CARMICHAEL Low. - [Six were observed in January and two in March, 1929, at the Weston Turville Reservoir by Mr. C. Oldham (Report Oxford Orn. Soc. for 1929, p. 36).—Ebs.] 222 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. BLACK-NECKED GREBE BREEDING IN YORKSHIRE. AFTER the publication last month of the exceedingly interest- ing notes on the Black-necked Grebe (Podtceps n. nigricollts) in Ireland, contributed by Mr. Stoney and Mr. Humphreys and followed by the Editor’s supplementary account of its status as a breeding species in Great Britain, I feel that it ought to be put on record that this bird has attempted to establish itself during recent years on a large sheet of water in central Yorkshire. The discovery was first made by my friend, Mr. C. E. Rhodes, of Stapleton, who informed me early in July, 1928, that he had found, that season, several nests of a Grebe intermediate in size between the Little Grebe and the Great Crested. The exact locality he does not wish me to divulge, and it is probably better that it should not be generally known. The first nest was found on May 25th and contained a single fresh egg. A second nest found on May 30th contained two fresh eggs and a third nest on June 18th held four eggs, probably about half incubated. In no case was the bird belonging to the nest seen or identified. Judging by the © relative size of the eggs only, my friend had come to the conclusion that both the Black-necked and _ Slavonian Grebe were represented. The improbability of the latter species extending its range so far south renders such a supposi- tion most unlikely, and to my mind it is far safer to assume a slight variation from the normal size of Black-necked Grebe’s eggs unless and until definite proof to the contrary can be obtained. Being exceedingly anxious to amplify these interesting records, I arranged, in spite of the lateness in the season, to pay a visit to the locality at once. Accordingly, Mr. Rhodes and I visited it together on July 14th, spending some four or five hours on the sheet of water searching the sedge beds and observing the birds. Observation was rendered difficult by exceptionally brilliant sunshine and by the extra- ordinary number of water-fowl, including countless young in all stages of growth, which crowded the water in and around the edges of the very extensive sedge beds. I saw a pair of what I took to be Black-necked Grebes and succeeded in getting one of them well in focus in my glasses before they disappeared into the sedges on the edge of which they were swimming. I got a clear view of the bright yellowish- chestnut ear-tufts and of the black cheeks and throat, so that I had no doubt as to the identification of this bird as a VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 223 Black-necked Grebe. This was all that we saw of the birds themselves. Nearly a quarter of a mile away from the point where this bird was identified we found a nest which I am confident was a Black-necked Grebe’s containing a single egg just chipping. Fragments of shell in the nest showed that other eggs had already hatched off. This nest was a bulky structure attached to floating willow branches on the edge of a bed of sedge. It was so placed that the bird could approach it unobserved and therefore though we waited and watched a considerable time we were unable to get a sight of it. I took the exact dimensions of the single egg remaining in the nest and append these together with those of the other seven eggs above referred to. It is quite apparent from a glance at these eggs that they are not eggs of the Great Crested or Little Grebe, and the fact that they were found in four different nests quite precludes the possibility of their being the product of a bird of either species laying abnormal eggs. This was the only inter- mediate Grebe’s nest we were able to find on the visit in question, though, in spite of the late date, we found seven nests of the Great Crested Grebe and three of the Little Grebe still containing eggs. Unfortunately, the bird appears to have failed to have established itself. Three subsequent visits to the locality on May 15th and June Ist in 1929, and on May 17th, 1930, failed to reveal any further trace of them, though on each occasion Mr. Rhodes and I made a thorough search. Sixteen or seventeen nests of the Great Crested Grebe and one or two of the Little Grebe were noted on each visit. The measurements in millimetres of the eggs above referred to are as follows :— May 25th, 1928 45.21 X 33.02 May 30th, 1928 43-94 X 29.72 44-45 * 29.97 June 18th, 1928 4/c 42.67X32.76 43.18 X 29.72 42.42 X 28.96 42.67 X 29.72 July r4th, 1928 45.72 X 33.02 ARTHUR WHITAKER. BLACK-NECKED GREBES IN HERTFORDSHIRE.—Correction.— On page 175 it was stated that Mr. Pike photographed a pair in 1920. We are informed by Mr. Pike that this is an error 224 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. due to a confusion of dates, and that he photographed the birds only in rg19. The statement for 1920 should therefore read that certainly one pair (and possibly two) were present in the summer of 1920, but no young were known to hatch. BIRDS IN IRELAND. Mr. G. R. Humphreys kindly communicates the following items of interest which have appeared from time to time in The Irish Naturalists’ Journal from its commencement in 1925 to the end of 1930, and of which no notice has hitherto appeared in our pages. Those records which we think require confirmation have been enclosed within square brackets. ROSE-COLOURED STARLING (Pastor, voseus)—One at Inishtrahull Lighthouse, September 18th, 1925 (J. S. Barrington, Vol. I., p. 192). No record since 1899. TREE-SPARROW (Passer m. montanus).—Belmullet colony appears not now to exist (R. F. Ruttledge, Vol. II., p. 31). In 1929 the light- keeper at Blackrock, an island nine miles west of the coast of Mayo, reported that a pair of Tree-Sparrows were. breeding there and a young bird with wing-feathers partially grown was sent to Mr. Humphreys. A colony breeding in the island of Inishtrahull off the north coast of Ireland was reported in 1913 (Brit. B., Vol. VII., p. 38) by Professor Patten. (G. R. Humphreys, Vol. III., p. 39). WuitE Wactait (Motacilla a. alba).—Adult near Belmullet (Mayo), June, 1924 (R. F. Ruttledge, Vol. II., p. 30). Five or six, Lough Neagh (Armagh), April 30th, 1928 (J. A. Bennington, Vol. II., p. 55). RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius c. collurvio)—One killed North Aran Lighthouse (Galway), October 3rd, 1927 (J. S. Barrington, Vol. II., Pp. 175). This, with the one recorded from the Rockabill Light in August, 1927 (see Brit. B., Vol. XXI., p. 206), are the fourth and fifth Irish records. PIED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa h. hypoleuca).—Female, Rockabill Lighthouse (Dublin) on May roth, 1928 (G. R. Humphreys, Vol. IL., p. 224). Mr. Humphreys states that this is the nineteenth definite Irish record, not including one said to have been captured at Louis- burgh (Mayo) on November 23rd, 1921 (Field, 10.xii.1921). The following should be added to those mentioned in the Practical Handbook, Vol. I., p. 292, and Vol. II., p. 893 : Old Head, Kinsale (Cork), Inish- trahull (Donegal), and a sixth example from the Tuskar Light (Wexford). Most of these nineteen have been taken at lighthouses, fifteen between August 7th and October 9th and only four in spring (April r9th to May roth). CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)—Two observed in winter each year from 1925 to 1928 at Glengarriff (Cork). Frequently heard singing on warm days (J. E. Flynn, Vol. II., p. 180). BaRRED WARBLER (Sylvia n. nisovia)—One at North Aran Light- house (Galway) on October 8th, 1927 (J. S. Barrington, Vol. IL., p. 175). This is the fifth Irish record. Only three were mentioned in the Practical Handbook (Vol. I., p. 361), but Mr. Humphreys points ‘out that the late R. M. Barrington had three, not two, from the Rockabill Lighthouse, the dates being September 25th, 1896, September 17th, 1912, and September 1st, 1913 (see Cat. Birds in Barrington Coll. in Nat. Mus., Dublin, p. 24). VOL. XXIV. ] NOTES. 225 GARDEN-WARBLER (Sylvia borin)—One in song on an island in Lough Mask (Mayo), May 28th, 1928 (R. F. Ruttledge, Vol. II., p. 109). A very local species in Ireland and not before observed in this locality. SWALLow (Hirundo r. rustica) —Nest with eggs in marine cave, Achill (Mayo) (R. F. Rutledge, Vol. II., p. 31). WrYNECK (Jynx t. torquilla)—Male near Ballyhooly (Cork), November 14th, 1925 (Rohu & Sons, Vol. I., p. 115). Recorded seven times previously in Ireland. This is a very late date. SNowy OwL (Nyctea nyctea)—Female shot Belmullet (Mayo), June 15th, 1930. An unusual date (W. J. Williams, Wol TLL., p: LEX). GREENLAND Fatcon (Falco r. candicans).—One shot near Dundalk (Louth) early in 1926 and another Greenore (Louth) in September (W. H. Workman, Vol. I., p. 175). Two co. Cork, June, 1925, and December, 1926 (J. E. Flynn, Vol. II., p. 202). [Hossy (Falco s. subbuteo)—For three years in succession one visited Glengarriff (Cork). No proof of breeding or presence of mate. Bird not seen 1928 (J. E. Flynn, Vol. II., p. 224). Only ten previous records for Ireland.] ROUGH-LEGGED BuzzarD (Buteo 1. lagopus).—One caught in trap Luggala (Wicklow) early December, 1926 (W. J. Williams, Vol. L., p-. 176). Eighteen previous occurrences in Ireland recorded. NiGcHt-HERON (Nycticorax n. nycticorax)—Male near Timoleague (Cork), May 6th, 1926 (Rohu & Sons, Vol. I., p. 115). Twenty-five previous records. LittLe Bittern ([xobrychus m. minutus).—One taken by cat Clona- kilty Bay (Cork) on April 25th, 1929 (C. B. Moffat, Vol. II., p. 203). Another was shot near Downpatrick (Down) on November Ist, 1929 (J. A. Sidney Stendall, Vol. III., p. 39). About thirty previous records, chiefly from south and east. VELVET-SCOTER (Oidemia fusca).—Pair stayed about a month in Glengarriff Bay (Cork), February, 1925, and a single bird was seen on January 24th, 1930. (J. E. Flynn, Vol. II., p. 201; Vol. III., p. 39). Rare winter visitor to Ireland. [SurF-ScoTER (O, perspicillata)—One flying close with flock of Mergansers in January, 1926, in Glengarriff Bay (Cork), said to be this species (J. E. Flynn, Vol. II., p. 201). Evidence given for identifica- tion (viz., by white patches on the head) not sufficient to be certain.] GANNET (Sula bassana).—Two pairs found nesting on Great Saltee Island (Wexford) in May, 1929 (H. Garnett, Vol. II., pp. 235-6). Previously known to nest in Ireland only at Bull Rock (Cork) and Little Skellig (Kerry). FULMAR PETREL (fulmarus g. glacialis)—Found breeding mainland Antrim, opposite Rathlin Island, early July, 1929 (J. A. Bennington, Vol. II., p. 224). Probably five pairs breeding (two chicks seen), Giant’s Causeway (Antrim), and one pair at Port Moon, July, 1930 (A. R. Crawford, Vol. III., p. 111). Single bird seen Great Saltee Island (Wexford), May, 1929 (H. Garnett, Vol. II., pp. 235-6), but nesting not proved. First found breeding in Ireland in 1911, has now colonized a number of places on the north and west coasts and was recorded as nesting on Rathlin Island in 1921, while in 1930 it was proved to be breeding on the Great Saltee Island (antea, p 195). TuRTLE-DovE (Streptopelia t. turtur)—One near Dingle Bay (Kerry), June, 1928 (J. E. Flynn, Vol. II., p. 201). One Saltee Island (Wexford) May, 1929 (H. L. Garnett, Vol. II., pp. 235-6). 226 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. GREEN SANDPIPER (Tvinga ochvopus).—Single birds near Glengarriff (Cork), September, 1927 and 1928 (J. E. Flynn, Vol. TE, Pp. 200): Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)—In 1928 in south of Ireland had “two pairs’? under observation, on one occasion within 20 yards (J. Mackay, Vol. II., p. 160). It is unfortunately not stated in what month the birds were seen, nor how long they stayed. BLACK-TAILED Gopwir (Limosa 1. limosa).—Two killed Hook Tower Lighthouse (Wexford), July 16th, 1926 (J. S. Barrington, Vol. IL., p. 50). “Large number’’ in summer dress stayed several days on south shore, Lough Neagh (Armagh) end April, 1928 (J. A. Benning- titexal, Woh, Wile, qoy, tof). Brack TERN (Chlidonias niger)—Two. seen Lough Mask (Galway), June roth, 1927 (T. Gray, Vol. I., p. 275). ROSEATE TERN (Stevna dougallii)—A pair identified amongst a colony of thirty pairs of Arctic Terns in north-west Mayo in June, 1924. Just possible there was a second pair. Had not started to nest (R. F. Ruttledge, Vol. II., p. 31). Not previously known from west Ireland. Giaucous Guitt (Larus hyperboreus)—One shot North Aran (Galway), December 27th, 1927. Also reported Blackrock (Mayo). (j. S> Barxrmeton, Volk T1..-p. 176): GOLDEN ORIOLE BREEDING IN SURREY.—We are informed that a pair of Golden Orioles (Oviolus 0. ortolus) nested in 1930 in Surrey and reared a brood of four, which left the nest safely. GREY PHALAROPE IN SOMERSET.—Mr. H. Tetley informs us that an example of Phalaropus fulicarius was found between Ilchester and Langport under telegraph wires on September 20th, 1930. This was the time of a heavy gale. The bird has now been added to the Bristol Museum collection. LATE LITTLE TERN IN SkYE.—Mr. A. MacRae informs us that he identified a Little Tern (Sterna albtfrons) which was busy diving near Dunvegan on October 15th, 1930. LitTLE AUK INLAND IN Kent.—The Rev. J. R. Hale informs us that on November 13th, 1930, a Little Auk (Alle alle) was picked up in Boxley. When found the bird was alive, but died before being brought to Mr. Hale, who states that it proved to be a male and the stomach was empty, but the bird was uninjured. Mr. Hale adds that there was no special rough weather in the district from November roth to 13th to account for the bird being so far inland. VOL. XXIV.] LETTERS. 227 LETTER. BREEDING OF SHORT-EARED OWL AND MONTAGU’S HARRIER IN IRELAND. To the Editors of British Birds. Srrs,—Will you kindly allow me to reply briefly to one or two of the principal criticisms of my book, A Bird Watcher's Note Book, made in the December number of BritisH Birps. Your reviewer complains of several loose statements. For instance, he characterises ‘‘ Short-eared Owls seem to be becoming increasingly common as a breeding species on many moors in Ireland” as an astounding statement without giving a shred of evidence. The statement was based on the following facts: I found a nest of Short-eared Owls on a co. Kilkenny hill in June, 1927. , During the past few years I have put up several birds of this species out of the heather during July and August. On August 14th, 1930, for example, I disturbed three Short-eared Owls on a Tipperary mountain, one of which was undoubtedly a young bird. The keeper on this mountain told me that he had destroyed several nests during recent years. In May, 1929, an Owl shot near my place was brought to me for identification. It was a Short-eared Owl in breeding- plumage (in summer the plumage of these Owls is much paler than ‘in winter). The information about Hen-Harriers and Montagu’s Harrier in Kerry was sent to me by a man who has studied birds all his life. ‘Why, may I ask, should he take the trouble to write to me were it mot a fact ? Since writing the book I have seen Dr. Landsborough Thomson’s ; paper on ringing Woodcock. The information therein only tends to «confirm the conclusions I have arrived at. J. W. SEIGNE. [We are very glad to receive from Major Seigne evidence for the » breeding of the Short-eared Owl in Ireland, which is most interesting. ‘As mentioned in our review, there was no record of the bird breeding sin Ireland and, this being so, Major Seigne’s statement, given without sany details, was really valueless. As regards the Harriers, we fear that we cannot accept as evidence eof his correctness the fact that Major Seigne’s correspondent took the ttrouble to write to him. Some real proof of correct identification and details of the nesting are certainly needed in the case of Montagu’s arrier.—EDps. ] REVIEWS. History of the Birds of Norfolk. By B. B. Riviére. pp. xlviii, 296. With 16 Plates and Map of the County. H. F. & G. Witherby, 1930. NGLISH counties are extremely uneven in size, Yorkshire being ore than double the size of its nearest rival, while Norfolk stands ‘ourth on the list as regards acreage. It is now possible to estimate e ornithological output of each county with some accuracy, at any te up to about 1918, from the lists of local literature published in e Geographical Bibliography of British Ornithology. Here, as might deed be expected, Yorkshire takes a long lead, but second and third 228 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL, XXIV. places are closely contested by Sussex and Norfolk, the former county leading in 1918 by a very small margin. Dr. Riviere was therefore not faced with the difficulty which confronts the historian of some of the smaller counties, such as Monmouth, Huntingdon or Rutland, and in compiling the present history the problem has not been to collect sufficient material. to justify publication, but to select the salient facts out of the vast mass of available matter. Norfolk has been unusually fortunate in other respects, for its ornithological records go back to the seventeenth century. Sir Thomas Browne has left us invaluable sketches of a vanished time when Ravens were the recognised scavengers of the City of Norwich ; Spoonbills and Cormorants nested in colonies in the woods of East Anglia, and Ruffs, Avocets and Godwits bred freelyin the marshes, Moreover, much of its past history has been sifted and recorded in what was one of our best county avifaunas, The Birds of Norfolk by Stevenson and Southwell (1866-1890). The Annual Ornithological Reports published in the Zoologist, British Birds and the Norf. & Norwich Nat. Soc. Transactions have also saved many records from oblivion and provided a useful index to the literature of each year, The aim of the present work has been not so much to replace the Birds of Norfolk altogether as to provide a condensed account of what has already been recorded there in detail, to bring the work up to date by noting the remarkable changes which have taken place since 1870, and to investigate the identity of some of the accidental visitors in the light of present-day knowledge of geographical races. After carefully studying the present work we can state with confidence that this has been very well and thoroughly done. The reader will find duly chronicled the extraordinary changes which havetaken place of late years in the status of the Harriers, the Bittern, certain species of Duck and particularly the Sandwich Tern. Norfolk has always taken a prominent place as a shooting and game preserving county and is probably as efficiently keepered as any county in England. In the past this was the cause of the disappearance of most of the birds of prey and the scarcity of several of the Crow family. The war years provided a respite, temporarily, for these birds, but when we read, as we frequently do, of the results of ‘‘ Protection”’, it must be borne in mind that in the case of the Raptores, all that has really happened is the cessation of regular killing on a few limited areas. Even this scanty assistance has enabled the Harriers to re-establish themselves. The Bittern has benefited to some extent by the gradual change in public opinion as to the shooting of rare birds and the provision of reserves in which it was able to breedin peace. On the other hand, the Terns, breeding in colonies in restricted areas, have undoubtedly benefited greatly by actual protection during the breeding season. ; It is, however, a somewhat strange anomaly that the presence of the Sandwich Tern on the Norfolk coast is almost certainly due to the wholesale raiding of their homes on the Farnes for a short period when the protective system broke down, and completely unsettled the birds for a time. Similarly, the persistent harrying of the Black- headed Gull colonies for food in the war years led to the foundation of several new colonies in counties where breeding had never been previously recorded. ; With regard to the nesting of the Hobby in Foxley Wood in 1881, it is quite clear from Norgate’s paper that only one of the three nests VOL. XXIV.] REVIEWS. 229 reported by him could have belonged to this species. Norgate was no mean field-worker in his younger days, but at that period very little was known in England of the breeding-habits and eggs of the Hobby, and his preconceived ideas on the subject were quite erroneous. Moreover, out of the numerous eggs ascribed to the Hobby in his collection, I have only seen one clutch which could be said to be undoubtedly authentic. ; While it is possible that the Hen-Harrier formerly bred in Norfolk, it should be remembered that this species is more a bird of the wolds and moorlands than of the marshes, and there is much confusion between the three species in all older records. Perhaps it is worth noting that the egg of the Honey-Buzzard from the Crewe collection, said to have been taken near Thetford in 1889, was crudely blown with a ragged hole, and therefore very unlikely to be a continental specimen. : As might be expected, the subject of migration is much more fully treated than in most county faunas and contains much interesting and significant matter. There is a good map of the county, but for faunal purposes we think that the altitudes should be indicated in colour, as in the maps attached to the History of the Birds of Kent, Dumfriesshive and Essex. The Bibliography only contains the more important faunal papers, but the period for 1918 to the present time has been treated rather more fully. There is a delightful frontispiece and the photographs are exactly what are needed in a work of this kind. The book is one which we can heartily recommend to all bird-lovers. F. C. R. JourDarn. LOCAL REPORTS AND TRANSACTIONS. Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society for 1928-29. Tue Presidential Address by Mr. H. F. Witherby entitled “‘ A Guide ‘to some Ornithological Work ”’ discusses subjects for observation and sstudy, both by individuals and by groups of observers, and makes 'many suggestions from which observers may choose a subject in which ‘to specialize. Mr. N. F. Ticehurst continues his account of Norfolk *Swan-marks, dealing in the present paper with those of ‘‘ Fenland’’. {In a Report of the Blakeney Point Research Stat.on, Professor Oliver rremarks that the policy at Blakeney Point is to protect the Terns by ‘destroying ground vermin, Crows, Black-headed Gulls and Little ‘Owls, all of which have been found to be destructive. At Scolt Head (Island an opposite policy is pursued, all birds being welcome excepting (Gulls. The ‘“ Far Point ’’ at Blakeney, which had arisen sufficiently tby 1919 for a few Terns to nest on it, has developed so rapidly that mow practically all the birds nest there. Interesting experiments are tbeing made by Professor Oliver as to the effect upon the plants in this new area by the enriching of the soil by the large colony of Terns. This part also includes a paper by Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker on ‘‘ Oology aas an Aid to Science’’, the usual yearly Report on Wild Bird Protection and additions to the birds of Norfolk, 1924 to 1928. eport on Somerset Birds, 1929. By Rev. F. L. Blathwayt, assisted by B. W. Tucker. tn the Introduction to this Report we are told that candidates for embership of the Somerset Natural History Society have now to 230 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV, make a declaration on the question of Protection Orders. It seems to us a grave mistake thus to involve a Society, which exists for the advancement of science, in decisions which may have no scientific basisatall. The main Report contains a number of interesting items, among which we may mention the following : a Chough appeared but did not stay at Porlock Weir early in 1929; a Pipit seen on November 6th on Porlock Marsh may have been a Tawny Pipit, but the evidence is not conclusive; the Nightingale is recorded as nesting slightly further west than previously recorded; an Eagle, identified as a Golden Eagle by Mr. G. F. Luttrell, who had often seen Golden Eagles in Scotland, was seen at close quarters on February 16th and 18th near Dunster; a flock of twenty Black-tailed Godwits was reported at Berrow on September 8th, 1927; several Quail were reported as nesting. Special attention has been devoted to the Ducks, and the notes under these are fuller and in a separate section, the status of each species has been summarized under districts and past records with references are given. This section is thus very valuable for permanent reference. Attention may also be drawn to some notes at the end of the Report on the effects of the severe weather in February, 1929. Report on the Birds of Wiltshive for 1929. By M. W. Willson. (Reprinted from Wilts. Archeol. and Nat. Hist. Mag., Vol. XLV., PP. 24-35.) WE congratulate Mr. Willson on having revived a Report on the birds _ of Wiltshire. For this purpose he has got together a band of observers (whose numbers we hope will increase) in different parts of the county and here gives their observations briefly under species headings. This being the first year for some time that such a report has been made some of the observations refer to previous years. The effect of the severe frost in February, 1929, on the Long-tailed and Marsh-Tit, Goldcrest and Creeper seems to have been particularly severe, while many Redwings were also killed. Of unusual occurrences we may mention Golden Orioles in 1916, 1925 or 6, and 1928; Waxwing 1913-14 and 1926; Peregrines still, we are glad to know, nesting on Salisbury Cathedral; the Tufted Duck nesting at Wilton Water in 1926 has already been recorded in our pages (antea, Vol. XX., p. 108) and two pairs were seen there in 1928 and 1929; Sandwich Tern, August, 1922, and Black Tern, August, 1928. The absence of records of some species is quite rightly remarked on. We hope that Mr. Willson and his band of helpers will continue their good work. Report of the Marlborough College Natural History Society for 1929. ALTHOUGH Wiltshire as a whole has had no regular ornithological report for some years prior to the one above noticed, this excellen school society continues year after year to print a report on the loc birds. This is now arranged in a much abbreviated form, and the more important observations have been incorporated in Mr. Willson’s report for Wiltshire. On page ro6 Mr. A. L. W. Mayo gives a fuller - account than he has already in our pages (antea, Vol. XXIII., p. 128) of the remarkable case of two female Red-backed Shrikes laying ten infertile eggs in the same nest with apparently no cock bird. On pages 97-99 Mr. W. D. Shaw contributes a short historical account of the Savernake Forest Heronry. VOL. XXIV | REVIEWS. 231 The London Naturalist for the Year 1929. Tue chief item in th’s excellent yearly publication of the London Natural History Society is the Address of the President, Mr. W. E. Glegg, who took as his subject ‘‘ The Birds of Middlesex since 1866.’ The latter date is that of the publication of the late J. E. Harting’s book, The Birds of Middlesex, and Mr. Glegg has searched a mass of literature from that date and here gives the result. In his introductory remarks the author discusses briefly the changes which have had such an important bearing on the county’s bird-life, giving us a glimpse of ancient history when Kites and Spoonbills bred in London, and bringing us up to the present day by tracing some of the striking differences in the birds. A briefly annotated list of 233 species follows. This list, which Mr. Glegg calls a skeleton, should in itself prove of great use and it is hoped that it will stimulate those who live in Middlesex to contribute information to Mr. Glegg, who intends to write a new ornithology of the county. A very good medium for the collection of such records is the London Naturalist itself, and in the present issue we find a number of interesting observations on the birds of the wide area covered by the Society, these being now arranged, we are glad to see, under counties. Mr. D. Lack contributes to this number an article on the Nightjar, of which he has made a special study, and many of his observations, being the result of careful and prolonged watching, are of great value. Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshive and Buckinghamshire. 1928 and 1929. Edited by B. W. Tucker. Boru these reports are very well drawn up and contain much valuable matter, especially that for 1928, which we regret to have omitted to notice before. Some good co-operative work was done at Oxford at the trapping station for ringing, in connexion with Starling roosts, on the distribution of the Corn-Bunting andits possible relation to geological formation, as well as the large work of the Rook Census, which has already been noticed in our pages. In 1928 a pair of Shoveler bred on Otmoor—a first record for Oxford- shire—while the Quail nested in the county both in 1928 and 1929. It is also stated that a pair of Golden Orioles bred for several seasons many years ago near Haseley and, though details cannot be given, the evidence is said to be reliable. Of other noteworthy occurrences we may mention the following: A Blue-headed Wagtail on Otmoor on May 7th, 1928; a Dipper at Medley Weir on March 23rd, 1929; a flock of twenty to thirty Bee- Eaters reported to have been seen from a car between Oxford and Northampton in the evening of September 4th, 1929, could scarcely have escaped detection elsewhere if correct ; a White-tailed Eagle seen at Sidown, Hants., on December 18th, 1927, was observed later about Combe, Berks.; a White Stork was seen on Otmoor on May 5th, 1928; a Purple Heron was shot near Aynho, Northamptonshire, on May 29th, 1928, and a Little Bittern was watched at close quarters near the Windrush on May 24th, 1928; a Bittern was seen at Weston Turville Reservoir several times in 1928 from January 15th to March 13th, on which date and up to May 4thit was heard booming frequently, -and it is thought that the same bird visited the Tring Reservoirs on occasions ; a Black-throated Diver frequented the river at Oxford 232 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. during the cold spell in February, 1929, and a Blackcock appeared in a garden in Oxford on March roth, 1928, but this last may have escaped from confinement. The Eton College Natural History Society. First Annual Report, 1929-30. Eton is to be congratulated on making such an excellent start with its Natural History Society as this Report shows. We are glad to see that a good many members are keen on birds, and they contribute an interesting series of observations made in the district. Amongst these we note that some members visited the Siskin’s nest at Taplow which was reported in our pages (Vol. XXIII., pp. 59 and 60) and the statement is made here that the birds built a second nest in a fir tree. This is interesting, as the first nest was in a rose pergola—an abnormal site. On page 36 it is stated that five Snow-Buntings, a bird very rarely recorded from Middlesex, were seen at Staines on November 2oth, 1929. Cardiff Naturalists’ Society, Report and Transactions, Vol. LXI., 1928. Tus Report, published in 1930, contains a valuable historical article on the Kite in south Wales by Dr. J. H. Salter. From the information here given the status of the bird in recent years may be briefly sum- marized as follows : There were considered to be twelve pairs of adults in 1920. In that year there was much felling of oak and woodmen and young men recently demobilized proved destructive. Four adult Kites are known to have been killed. In 1929 six pairs were under observation (four pairs bringing off young) while it was thought that there were two or three other pairs, which were not located. Some of the reasons given for the present non-success of the Kites are occasional destruction due to local human jealousies; harrassing of the Kite by Carrion-Crows, from whose attacks it appears to be unable to defend its eggs or young, and by Buzzards, which have become very numerous; easy desertion of the nest and a number of eggs being infertile. This Report also contains Ornithological Notes for 1927-8 compiled by Messrs. Ingram and Salmon. Amongst these we may particularly note the appearance of a pair of Gadwall on Lisvane Reservoir in November, 1927. Notes on Local Birds, 1921-1927. By HughS. Gladstone. (Reprinted from Tvans. Dumfries. & Galloway N.H. & Antig. Soc., October 21st, 1927.) Tuts is a second instalment of additions and corrections to his Birds of Dumfriesshive by Mr. Gladstone. Amongst the many items brough forward we may note the following : A Wren’s nest built into the base of a Song-Thrush’s, both broods being hatched. A reference to a catalogue of sale in 1861 in which were described four eggs of a Crested Tit supposed to have been taken in Dumfriesshire. This Mr. Glad- stone thinks may have been in the late Harvie-Brown’s mind when he referred to an alleged occurrence of the species in the county. The Great Spotted Woodpecker has become firmly established, but we regret to hear that the Black Grouse is still decreasing seriously in the county. In discussing some examples of hen Pheasants assuming the plumage of the cock, Mr. Gladstone states as his opinion from personal observation that about I in 740 is the average of this abnor- mality. Mr. Gladstone concludes his paper with a list of recoveries of ringed birds affecting the county. W. F. H. ROSENBERG 57, Haverstock Hill, London, N.W.3, England Telephone: Primrose Hill 0660 Price List of Birds of the World, including over 4,000 species, post free to readers of “* British Birds.” Every description of collecting apparatus kept in stock. 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The object of this book is not to describe the well-known habits of birds, but to bring out any new or interesting points observed in the field. Mr. Philip Rickman, the artist, has collaborated with the author in illustrating differences’ in plumage in wood- cocks and the other points discussed. ae JE . ‘i — ei e ! CONTENTS OF NUMBER 12, VOL.~NXIV., MAy I, 1931. a PAGE The Behaviour of Starlings in Winter. By V. C. Wynne- Edwards. II. Observations in Somerset, 1929-30 ... “ 346 Birds at Reservoirs in the London District during the Wiwbes 1930-31. By A. Holte Macpherson ... see «= 954. Birds Marked Abroad and Recovered in the Beitich ide: = 357 Obituary: John Guille Millais (A. L. Butler) ... 362 Notes :— A Pied Wagtail Roost in Dublin (C. B. Moffat)... ich 304 Nuthatch in Cumberland (H. W. Robinson)... a eas 306 Fire-crested Wrens in Sussex (E. C. Arnold) sme ~ 366 Fire-crested Wren in Norfolk (R. M. Garnett) ri: Hee 367 Buzzard Killing Little Owl (Capt. H. H. V. Christie) see 307 Buzzard using Seaweed for Nest-lining (Capt. H. HH. V.Christie) 367 Mute Swan Eating Fish (J. B. Watson) yo _ : 867 Albino Pink-footed Goose in Northumberland (S. W. P. Freme) ... sea me ne te < 368 Grebes Drowned under Ice (C. Oldham) ine aie as Se Ornithological Notes from North Uist, Outer Hebrides (S. W. P. Freme) des ee ee a 369 Stone-Curlew in Surrey (R. W. Hayman) oi hee ax (S70 Dotterel in Norfolk in March (R. M. Garnett) awh Swi 372 Black-tailed Godwit in Orkney (D. J. Robertson) we | TS Ivory-Gull in County Down (C. B. Whelan) re mug. Shes Short Notes :— Great Crested Grebe Enquiry. Notice to Ringers. Great Grey Shrike in Oxfordshire. Hoopoe in Surrey in March. Black-necked Grebe in South Wales. Green Sandpiper in Sussex in Winter os oe Bas av aes a 373 Review :— Nicoll’s Birds of Egypt. By Col. R. Meinertzhagen, D.s.o. 374 Letters :— Nuthatch Sheltering Young from Sun (A. L. Butler).. «- «§=6 3376 The Soaring of the Chough (J. Walpole-Bond) ete «+ 376 3A (346) THE BEHAVIOUR OF STARLINGS IN WINTER. BY V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS. II. OBSERVATIONS IN SOMERSET, 1929-30. SINCE my first paper* on this subject was written, a consider- able body of facts has been collected relating to the roosting- habits of Starlings (Sturnus v. vulgaris). In Devon and Cornwall, where the earlier investigation was carried out, Mr. A. H. Machell Cox has continued his work, and it is hoped that his results will ultimately be published. During the autumn of 1929 I made a survey of the Starling roosts in the Bristol area, similar to that made in Devon and Cornwall, but on a much smaller scale. The symbols used in the map (Fig. I) are the same as those employed Fic. 1. Map of Bristol area, showing Starling roosts and feeding- areas, 1929-30. previously. Each roost is represented by a circle with a sign in the centre of it; the same sign is used to mark all points at which flights have been seen, either going to or coming from that roost at dusk or dawn. Thus, the distribu- tion of these signs gives a somewhat deficient picture of the feeding area corresponding to each roost. The population of these Somerset roosts was much less than the average for those in Devon, partly because the feeding areas were smaller, * See British Birds, Vol. XXIII., pp. 138-153 and 170-180. VOL. XXIV.] STARLINGS IN WINTER. 347 and also to some extent because the actual density of the Somerset Starling population does not appear to be as great as that in Devon. Table I. gives in concise form the details of the roosts found. One of these—that at Failand—was selected for intensive observation in connection with other work which was being undertaken. STARLINGS AND REDWINGS. In the first paper two cases were given of roosts originally tenanted by Redwings (Turdus musicus) being invaded by Starlings. These were at Huish, near Torrington, and at Colwill Farm (B,), near Plymouth. In the former case the Redwings were driven away altogether, and in the latter they had to find what cover they could in the gorse and bushes around the plantation. Two additional cases were observed last year in Somerset. I was lucky enough to be at one of these Redwing roosts on perhaps the second or third evening of the Starlings’ invasion, and I was able to watch the rather dramatic process of expropriation. This was at Goblin Combe on January rgth, 1930. At 1.45 p.m. a flock of three or four hundred Redwings. was seen near Redhill. Shortly after this, and less than a. mile further on, we found a fir wood showing evident signs. of its use as a roost. Several dead Redwings were picked up, most of them killed by Owls. Whilst we were there, at: 2.14, a large flight of Redwings came up from the N.W..,. circled over the roost, and made off towards the flock we: had seen previously. At the time we were at a loss to explain this early arrival of birds in the vicinity of the roost about two hours before the normal time. On our return to the roost at 3.55 Redwings were coming in fast, and continued to do so till 4.5. All this time they appeared restless, constantly flying from place to place across. the deep limestone combe in which the plantation is situated. Quite large parties kept getting up and flying off out of sight, only to circle back again a few minutes later. The source of this excitement was soon apparent. At 4.13 we saw a small compact flock of Starlings come rolling up across the skyline to the south. They got to the roost and, without any warning whatever, swept the whole length of the combe within a few feet of the tree-tops, turned, and swept back again. It was an impressive performance, not least 348 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOL. SXive because of the complete silence of the Starlings. Almost instantly the Redwings were in an uproar, scattering in little bands in all directions. At 4.18 the Starling flock pitched into the roost, and there was hardly a Redwing left. We could see them in the tree-tops and on the hedges up to half a mile away. They did not stay still, however, but almost at once started to collect towards the roost again for a counter- attack. This, however, came to nothing, because by 4.21 many more Starlings were coming in from the south, and the Redwings would not approach them. I noted that at 4.35 the Redwings were still scattered. I saw a Starling go for one of the more adventurous Redwings immediately above my head. The courses of the two birds came diagonally together, but at the moment of impact they swerved strongly apart without touching. We left the roost shortly before 5 o’clock. The Starlings were all settled in by then, but many of the Redwings were still moving about, though some of them at least were in another plantation a little further up the combe. It was practically dark. The second case was at the Failand roost. “F.~ i(see Fig. 2) was a Redwing roost which the Starlings appropriated early in March. It seems likely that the Redwings act in the same way as a decoy to bring the birds down on their homeward flight. Starlings are quick to make what profit they can out of other birds, which is one of the reasons for their success. When stationed at the Failand observation point I used to see the Redwings come over from Ashton Watering, al mM. also the Rooks and Jackdaws (Corvus f. frugilegus and C. spermologus) from the Ashton Court rookery. The Redwings. were usually ten to fifteen minutes earlier than the first © Starling exodus, and the Rooks and Jackdaws from about seven minutes before to a minute or two after, in spite of the fact that they had a mile and a half to fly before they reached the observation point. MOVEMENTS OF RoostTs. It seems unusual for a roost to be occupied without inter- ruption for a whole season. The early autumn roosts are — almost always temporary. In general, however, the move-— ments are not very long ones, usually under two miles. The detailed history of the Failand roost would not be interesting were it not for other observations made at the — VOL. XXIV.] STARLINGS IN WINTER. 349 same time. The roost was found on November 4th, 1929, in a plantation called Wraxall Piece (see Fig. 2), where the Starlings had arrived six days before (October 29th). I could not discover that there had ever been a roost in that FAILAND GOLF COURSE * OBSERVATION OBSERVATION POINT CAMBRIDGE'S ———_SATCH LONG ASHTON vo Cy x 2x2 Fic. 2. Map showing the movements of the Failand roost, and the course over which the flights were timed on March ry4th. immediate neighbourhood before, and the sight of tens of thousands of birds collecting was unusual enough to hold up the Sunday golf on the adjacent course. Some days later the Starlings went over to Ashton Hill Plantation, where they remained for the next three months, moving from one section of the plantation to another about 300 yards further west about the beginning of January. 300 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. Between February 5th and March 25th I visited this roost thirty-five times at dawn to make light-intensity observations. It very soon became clear that the four large exoduses of birds from the roost were identical day after day, chiefly because of their respective sizes. The first exodus was small in comparison with the second and third, which were very large, accounting between them for three-fourths of the birds. The fourth was smaller again. I do not wish tosay that each exodus was composed of a definite set of individuals which remained absolutely unaltered from day to day. I am quite certain that this was not the case. But it is pro- bable that the majority of individuals were the same, as will be brought out by the observations to be described. Evidence has already been given to show that the smaller flocks on the feeding-grounds hold together as definite units (/.c., p. 170). It is therefore possible to speak of the “ first exodus,” etc., as if it were an association of individuals (possibly a loose one) and not a matutinal phenomenon. On February 28th the third and fourth exoduses were missing—t.e., the population of the roost had been reduced by at least one-half. That it was the third and fourth, and not the first and second exoduses which had gone, is shown by the photometric observations, which enable one to identify the different exoduses by the characteristic light-intensity at the time of their departure. The same evening a hunt was made for the lost birds, and they were found in Long Wood, ? mile east of Ashton Hill. That night all but a handful of stragglers roosted in the new place, and the observing point was moved next morning within range of it. On the morning of March 4th the fourth exodus was missing again. I was not left long in ignorance, however, for 104 minutes after number three had gone from Long Wood a large flight came high over from the south, which turned out to be the fourth exodus or part of it. The same thing was observed each day until the 11th, when ¢wo flights came over from the south; both the third and fourth exoduses were missing from Long Wood. This occurred again on the 12th, but on the 13th there were three flights from the south, and only the first exodus and a remnant of the second were left at Long Wood. That evening a search was made, and the new roost found in a plantation by the G.W.R. at Ashton Watering, 1} miles south of Long Wood. On the next morning (14th) my wife VoL. xxiv.]}] STARLINGS IN WINTER. 351 was stationed at Ashton Watering, and I went up to Long Wood. We were provided with stop-watches, and timed the flights over a course of 1 mile 700 yards (+ 5 yards) in order to establish the interval to be allowed on previous observations of-the flights coming over. All the birds were at Ashton Watering on this occasion, but owing to a mistake with the last only three of the exoduses were timed. Each covered the course in 2 minutes 40 seconds exactly to the nearest second. This gives the speed of flight as 31.4 (5) m.p-h., but the course involved a climb of 350 feet. There was scarcely a breath of wind and mist lay in the valley. The sky was cloudless. Observations were made between 6.10 and 6.38 a.m. From this date until the roost broke up shortly afterwards (March r1gth-2tst) all the birds resorted to Ashton Watering. The significant point to notice is that on both occasions when the roost moved it was the last exodus birds which first went to the new place. In the second case a very clear picture was obtained of the gradual movement of the birds, those of the first exodus being the last to move. There is now good reason to believe that the distinctions between the four exoduses lie in the degree of maturity of their reproductive organs. The evidence for this will be set forth in another place, but it is of interest to notice here that this work gives confirmation to the remarkable experiments of Professor William Rowan from a completely different angle. He has shown with birds in captivity that the day-length is the factor which regulates the annual reproductive cycle. By altering the day-length artificially he has been able to manipulate the reproductive cycle so as to produce matured Juncos (J. hyemalts) at Christmas, and even to make American Crows (Corvus b. brachyrhynchos) migrate northwards in the late autumn. My own work points to the fact that in the case of the Starling in nature, the state of maturity of their reproductive organs influences the birds’ day-length, 7.e., the time they get up in the morning. This at first sight appears to be a direct contradiction of Rowan’s work, but in reality it only serves to show more clearly how closely the day-length and reproductive cycle are correlated. The birds of the last exodus are probably those which will not breed in the ensuing spring ; those of the first are the furthest advanced towards maturity. 352 BRITISH BIRDS, [VOL. XXIV. MANCEUVRES. In my earlier paper (p. 147) I mentioned that neither Mr. Cox nor I ever saw the manceuvres of the flocks over their roost at nightfall in Devon and Cornwall, though we had been present at roosts on more than twenty occasions at the right time. The most impressive displays of evolutions I have seen have been in Yorkshire in August and September, and at the Marksbury roost, Somerset, on October 2nd. On October 27th at Topsham, Devon, I saw twelve birds, all alone, performing stately and precise movements over a reed-bed from which all their companions had been driven by floods on the Exe three weeks before. This shows that it is not merely the emotional effect of enormous numbers which leads to the manceuvres. On November roth at Gittisham Hill, Devon, manceuvres were seen but they were short. On December 6th at Ashton Hill “ magnificent manceuvres’’ were seen. Very rarely during January, February and March evening evolutions were seen in Somerset. There is no doubt that they are at their best in the long evenings of the early autumn, and gradually become less and less important, until in Devon at least they do not occur after December. Fine weather is of course essential to the best displays. DURATION OF THE ROOSTING-HABIT. A small roost in the Failand neighbourhood, probably in Ashton Park, was used throughout the breeding-season of 1930. Fairly large flights began again about June 17th. On June 30th the Slapton Ley (Devon) roost was occupied by several hundred birds. This is interesting as a case of a winter roosting-site being used at midsummer. On July 24th, 1929, there were about a thousand Starlings roosting in the trees below the Citadel, on the front of Ply- mouth Hoe. Mr. F. R. Horne tells me that this roost has been used in the late summer in previous years. It was also in use during July and August, 1930. In conclusion, I should like to acknowledge my debt to the University of Bristol for lending me a car in which to visit the roost, and to thank Mr. Machell Cox for suggesting the useful word “‘ exodus’ to describe the flights of Starlings from their roost in the morning. VOL, XXIV. | Initial Pstiew. Position. M Stantonbury Camp, Marksbury. Spire of S. Mary’s, Red- cliffe, Bristol. F, Wraxall Piece, Failand. F, Ashton Hill Plantation F; Same, further west (see Fig. 2). F, Long Wood F, Plantation by G.W.R. at Ashton Watering. G Goblin Combe, nr. Redhill. STARLINGS IN WINTER. TABLE I, Alti- tude. Type of (feet). Cover. 500 Conifers. — Niches of masonry. 450 Mixed larch and decidu- ous, IO-I5 years. 500 Conifers, c. 15 years. 500 Conifers, mostly 45° larch, c. 25 years. Conifers; c. 20 years. Conifers, mostly larch. Conifers and hawthorns. 353 Remarks. Moved or broke up a few days before March 8th. Joined up with F some time in January. Used October 29th to November 7th or 8th, and November 13th. Used November goth to 11th, and from November 14th till about New Year. Used after above till February 27th. Used February 28th till March 12th, latterly by a diminishing number of birds. First used March 3rd. Finally ab- andoned March 21st. Formerly a Redwing roost. Appropriated from Redwings about mid- January. (354) BIRDS AT RESERVOIRS IN THE LONDON DISTRICT DURING THE WINTER 1930-31. BY A. HOLTE MACPHERSON. DurinG the past few months so many interesting birds have been noticed at the reservoirs in the London district that it seems worth while to mention the chief occurrences. It is a singular fact that the records from Staines have been of far greater interest than those from all the other reservoirs in the district combined throughout the months of December, 1930, and January and February, 1931. At Staines, this period started with a rich legacy from the last few days of November, during which a number of uncommon birds had arrived, including not less than four Slavonian Grebes (Podiceps auritus), a Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps g. griseigena), and two Great Northern Divers (Colymbus immer). Most of the Slavonian Grebes left early in December, though one remained till nearly the end of the month. It was on December 7th when I last saw the Red-necked Grebe ; and on this day Mr. D. Gunn noticed a Kittiwake (Rissa t. tridactyla), a very uncommon visitor to these waters. It was in first winter plumage. One of the two Great Northern Divers appeared to be slightly the larger, and it had on its back one or two dark feathers with white spots. The other, perhaps a young bird, was by December 7th joined by another exactly like itself, while the larger bird had by this time disappeared. On December 13th yet another Diver was discovered, but it kept too far away for identification. On the following day the three Divers were together, and were seen approaching the public footpath, on which were several observers with telescopes. While the birds were still some distance off, Mr. D. Gunn expressed the opinion that one of them was of the Black-throated species (Colymbus a. arcticus), and this proved to be the case. The three birds came quite close to the path and gave the observers a splendid view of them. It may here be mentioned that during the first half of December the weather was generally dull and the barometer fairly steady, and there were no violent gales with which to associate the arrival of these birds. Both the Great Northerns stayed till about January 4th, after which one remained till the end of the first week in February. I last saw the Black- throated Diver on January 11th. During its stay of about four weeks, observers who visited these reservoirs enjoyed on various occasions the rare privilege of closely watching ~~ VOL. XxIv.] BIRDS AT LONDON RESERVOIRS. = 355 the two species swimming side by side. When thus seen, the more elegant lines and snake-like head of the Black-throated were almost as striking as the far stouter build of the Great Northern species. The measurements of specimens given in books convey no idea of the great difference between these two birds in bulk; but this was well expressed by Dr. G. C. Low, who, one day when we had the birds close to us, exclaimed: ‘It is like comparing a hunter with a cart- horse.”’ The late Mr. Abel Chapman, in his Bird-Life of the Borders (p. 248), states that the weight of a male Black- throated Diver shot by him was 5 lbs. Of a pair of Great Northern Divers the female weighed 8 Ibs. and the male 12% Ibs. The bird which weighed 5 Ibs. was shot towards the end of January. Perhaps it was a bird of the preceding year and was not quite full grown. But, even assuming this, the difference in the weights is enormous. It is easier to realise what the figures mean when we remember that 5 lbs. is barely the weight of a pair of Mallard, and 12} lbs. the weight of two good-sized White-fronted Ganders. On the afternoon of December 20th I heard a Grey Plover (Squatarola s. squatarola) passing over the north reservoir, Golden Plover sometimes fly over these reservoirs and settle on the fields beyond, but the occurrence of a Grey Plover is very rare. The atmosphere was rather thick at the time and the light had begun to fade. I could not catch sight of the bird, but its beautiful call is unmistakable and was repeated many times. Other outstanding events at Staines were the appearance on February 14th of the first Great Skua (Sfercorarius s. skua) known to have occurred in Middlesex (antea p. 299) ; followed by the visits of a Shag (Phalacrocorax a. aristotelis) seen on February 18th by Mr. D. Gunn (antea, p. 341) ; and a female or immature male Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) (antea, p. 341) and a Cormorant (Phalacrocorax c. carbo), both of which were identified on February 19th by Miss E. P. Leach and Mr. H. F. Witherby. Both Shag and Red-breasted Merganser are of extremely rare occurrence in the county. Among countless ducks seen at Staines during the winter I did not notice anything more uncommon than one Scaup (Nyroca m. marila) and a few Pintail (Anas a. acuta); but mention should be made of the Goldeneyes (Bucephala c. clangula) which in February were present in unusual numbers. Sometimes as many as fifty could be counted. One day, in a flock of over thirty, there were three young males showing the white facial spot in different stages of development ; 356 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL XAIVe they made a very interesting picture. On several occasions adult drake Goldeneyes were observed displaying to their females. In this graceless performance, the head, after being tossed back till it appears to strike the dorsal feathers, is thrown forward with a jerk of such vigour that the spectator is left wondering why the bird’s neck has not been dislocated. While Staines throughout the winter months was enter- taining such a remarkable series of rare visitors, at the other reservoirs in the London district few uncommon birds appear to have occurred, apart from the Black-throated Diver seen in December and January by Mr. F. R. Finch and Mr. W. E. Glegg on “ The Racecourse ”’ at Walthamstow (antea, p. 296). At Barn Elms, however, a Common Sandpiper (7vinga hypoleucos) was frequently observed in December and during most of January. It frequented the borders of the two reservoirs nearest to the Thames, which is only about 50 yards distant from them. It was noticed that at low tide the bird was often absent, from which it is a fair inference that on these occasions it resorted to the foreshore of the river. An adult drake Scaup spent several weeks at Barn Elms ; and at Walthamstow on February 15th Dr. G. C. Low and I saw two birds of this species on separate reservoirs. Miss E. P. Leach informs me that for a great portion of the winter there has been a female Scaup on one of the small reservoirs at Molesey, and that in the spring of 1930 she found a female Scaup, perhaps the same bird, at exactly the same place.’ On all these occasions each of these Scaups was consorting with Tufted Ducks. Neither Goosanders (Mergus m. merganser) nor Smew (Mergus albellus) seem to have been quite so numerous on the reservoirs this winter as in recent years, although Miss E. P. Leach and Mr. H. F. Witherby counted thirty-six Goosanders one day at Molesey ; and in February Dr. Low and I found a flock of seventeen Smew at Walthamstow, six of them being white males. In the case of both these species an unusually large proportion of adult males has been noticeable. Flocks of Goosanders, of which adult males formed the majority, have been seen frequently. On January izth, Dr. G. C.. Low, Dr. P. TH. Manson-Bahr; Mr. F. R. Finch and I watched a charming group of Smew on a small reservoir near Kempton Park; out of ten birds no less than half were white drakes. In most inland counties the occurrence of an adult male Smew is regarded as a very rare event. He is by far the most conspicuous object in any group of birds, for his whiteness has the purity of snow. Compared with his, the white breast of a Gull looks grey. (357) BIRDS MARKED ABROAD AND RECOVERED IN THE BRITISH ISLES. THE following have come to our notice since the last list of birds marked abroad was published. As we have in prepara- tion an article dealing with the origin of migrants to this country as revealed by birds ringed abroad, details of any such records known to our readers and not already published in our pages will be greatly appreciated.—H.F.W. No. Helgoland, 39459 Rossitten, F.46927 Riga, Orn. Cent. 20318 Ditto 16742 Ditto 22687. Ditto 32122, Ditto 23250 Skovgaard, Viborg, H.6149 Ditto H.7772 Ditto G.4308 Ditto G.4312 Ditto H.9167 Ditto G.9664 Ditto H.7512 Rossitten, F.75359 Mus. Leiden, 88174 Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Recovered. ROOK (Corvus f. frugilegus). mouth of Germany, Borkum Is., R. Ems, bud Rea amie: a STARLING (Sturnus v. Rossitten (E. Prussia), pny he Lubahn, ‘Latvia, 5.6.27. Ditto 14.4.27. Ditto A027: Ditto 11.6.29. Irmlau (Kurland), 7.6.27. Sénderskov, Alsen, Den- mark, 1927. Lambjerg, Alsen, 1927. Rindsholm, nr. Viborg, 1928. Ditto ditto. Svenstrup, Jylland, 1927. Bodilsker, Bornholm, 1929. Tisvilde, N. Sjaelland, Wusterhanse (Pomerania), 5.6.30. Wassenaar (S. Holland), 23.10.30. North Newbald (East Yorks.),early Dec.,1930, in Naturalist, 1931. vulgaris). Barnsley (Yorks.),14.11.30, by E. G. Bayford. West Looe (Cornwall), 28.12.27, in Le. Orn. Cent., 1930. Yarmouth (Norfolk), 14.3.28, in ditto. Elmstone (Kent), 3.3.29, in ditto. Patrington (Yorks), 21.11.29, in ditto and Cc. H. Wells. Nr. Brigg (Lincs.), 4.3.29, in ditto. Aslocton(Notts.),15.11.20, in Danske Fugle, 1930. Nr. Plymouth (Devon.), g.1.28, in ditto. Belford (Northumb.), 24.4.29, in ditto. Kilmovee (Mayo), 30.3.30, in ditto. Harborough (Warwick.), 15.1.28, in ditto. Shoreham (Sussex), 20.12.29, in ditto. Salisbury (Wilts.), 16.4.28, in ditto. Haverfordwest (Pemb.), Pir2-s0; -by Mer ©. S; Ingram. Cross Scales (S. Wexford), Jan., 1931, by G. R. Humphreys. Mus. Bruxelles, 3 B.536 Mus. Leiden, 68598 Ditto 89404 BRITISH BIRDS. Place and Date Ringed. [VOL RIV. Place and Date Recovered. LINNET (Carduelis c. cannabina). Near Brussels, 17.10.30. Lakenheath (Suffolk), December, 1930, by J. Rolph, per A. W. Boyd. CHAFFINCH (Fringilla c. c@lebs). Wassenaar (S. Holland), 22 MOwZowaAce Ditto 15.10.30, ad. Normanton (Lincs,), 16.1.29, in Zool. Mede- deelingen, 1930. Newtown, Drogheda (Louth), 27.2:31, eax G. R. Humphreys. CONTINENTAL SONG-THRUSH (Turdus ph. philomelus). Helgoland, 653076 Helgoland, 655207 Ditto 81764 Isle of Mellum, mouth of Germany, R. Weser, 15.9.29, young. Near Diss _‘(Norioligp 11.3.31, per Cage Birds. BLACKBIRD (Turdus m. merula). Heligoland, 3.11.28. Ditto 25.10.30. Near Brigg (Lincs.), Jan. or Feb., 1930, in Field. Rollesby (Norfolk), 26.1.31, by S. H. Long: MONTAGU’S HARRIER (Circus pygargus). Mus. Leiden, 54662 Helgoland, 34538 Skovgaard, V.4798 Mus. Helsingfors, D.2921 Riga, Orn. Cent., 10964 Skovgaard, Viborg, V.6355 Ditto V.6347 Ditto V.6342 Mus. Leiden, 75211 Den Hoorn, Texel, young, 28.6.28. S.E. Suffolk, end June, 1929, in Zool. Mededee- lingen, 1930. HERON (Ardea c. cinerea). I. of Mellum, mouth of R. Weser, 10.8.29. Liss (Hants.), 6.12.30, by W. R. Smith. TEAL (Anas c. crecca). Near Husavik, Iceland, 220.30) Kuusjarvi, S.E. Finland, 29.7.29. Near Riga, 11.6.26. Fano, Jylland, 7.9.29. Ditto 6.9.29. Ditto ditto. Oesterland (Zeeland), ZOw2205 Near Abbeyleix (Queen’s Co.), 24.12.30, by Miss 12e Sig, ILeere. Emsworth (Hants,), March, 1930, by Mr. IPiateye. North Fambridge (Essex), Ir.2.28, in Lett. Orn. Cent., 1930. Lixnaw (Kerry), 7.12.29, in Danske Fugle, 1930. Oxwich (Glam.), 7.12.29, in ditto. Strangford Lough (Down), 26.12.29, in ditto. R. Thames (nr. Oxford), 1.3.30, in Field. VoL. XxIv.]| RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. No: Skovgaard, Viborg, V.3099 Skovgaard, Viborg, E.1479 Place and Date Ringed, 309 Place and Date Recovered. TUFTED DUCK (Nyroca fuligula). Ove Lake, 1927. N. Jylland, I. of Lewis (O. Hebrides), May, 1928, in Danske Fugle, 1930. SCAUP-DUCK (Nyvoca m. marila). Husavik, Iceland, 3.8.30. Goleen (Cork), 22.10.30, in Shooting Times. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (Mergus serrator). Skovgaard, Viborg, V.5062 Ditto E.1863 Mus. Stockholm, D.2453 Skovgaard, Viborg, X.8659. Ditto G.7264 Ditto X.1645 Mus. Helsingfors, D.5634 Ditto C.1603 Mus. Stockholm, B.2209 Mus. Leiden, 21689 Mus. Bruxelles, C.6638 Mus. Stockholm, A.2091 Ditto A.2274 Husavik, Iceland, 29.8.30. Myvatn, Iceland, 4.7.30. Thurso (Caithness), 29.10.30, by P. Skov- gaard. Nr. Inverness, 14,12,30, by P. Skovgaard. LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus). Malmé (Si. Sweden), 10.6.29. Nr. Aarhus, Denmark, 1928. Ditto 1929. Nyborg, Fiinen, 1926. CURLEW (Numenius a. Kersava, nr. Helsingfors, 2.6.30. Koivisto, Ulvila, S.W. Finland, 27.6.27. Nr. Mariestad (Lake Vener), 10.6.30, young. Vogelenzang, nr. Leiden, 28.5.27, young. COMMON SNIPE (Capella Knocke-sur-Mer, Belgium, 4.9.30. WOODCOCK (Scolopax r. Abo, Jamtland, Sweden, 2.8.29. Ditto 27.6.29, young. Sea Houses (Northumb.), 5.4.30, in Fauna o. Flora, 1930. Lincolnshire, 30.10.28, in Danske Fugle, 1930. I. of May, Scotland, Dec., 1929, in ditto. Hornsea (Yorks.),15.11.28, in ditto. arquata). Frodsham Marsh (Ches.), 26.10.30, by W. Frod- sham, per A. W. Boyd. Irvinestown (Fermanagh), 8.10.27, Ornis Fennica, 1928. St. Mary’s, Scilly Is., 8.8.30, in Fauna _o. Flora, 1930. Nr. Holywell (Flint), May, 1929, in Zool. Mededee- lingen, 1930. g. gallinago). Bodedern (Anglesey), 26:1.31, by A. V.. Spicer, vusticola). Kenmare(Kerry),13.11.29, in Fauna o. Flora, 1929. Boyle (Roscommon), 13.1.31, by C. Mul- holland. 360 No. SANDWICH TERN (Sterna s. sandvicensis). Skovgaard, Viborg, S.620 Ditto S.4378 Mus. Stockholm, D.3607 BRITISH RIRDS. Place and Date Ringed. Hirtsholm (off Frederik- shavn), Denmark,22.6.30, young. Ditto 16.7.30. COMMON TERN (Sterna h. hirundo). Nr. Kristianstad 1S: Sweden), 15.6.30, young. [VOL. XXIV. Place and Date Recovered. Cowden, Hornséa (Yorks.), 24.8.30, by F. Johnson, per A. Landsborough Thomson. Scolt Head (Norfolk), 12.10.30, by C. Chestney, Grimsby (Lincs.), 29.8.30, in Fauna o. Flora, 1930, BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ry. ridibundus). Mus. Helsinefors, C.9364 Mus. Goteborg 13320C. Maus. Goteborg, 2075C. Rossitten, E.48747 Ditto E.5494 Skovgaard, Viborg, A.3890 Ditto M.1065 Ditto A.1305 Ditto M.499 Ditto M.1087 Mus. Leiden, 48681 Ditto 55941 Lotos-Prag, 41371 deanautt, Estonia Univ. 5444 Mus. Goteborg, 9667D. Near Helsingfors, Finland, T0280) Island of Oland Sweden), 22.6.29. (S.E, Maklappen I., S. W. Sweden, 25.6.27, young. Nr. Kiel (Schleswig-Hol- eerual))., (6/7/70), Schleswig (Schleswig-Hol- Stein), 24:0.17. Oreby, Laaland, 1928. Selsé Lake, Sjaelland,1927. Tipperne,W. Jylland,1920. Ove Lake, Jylland, 1927. Sels6 Lake, 1927. Texel, 23.60.28, young. Ditto, 7.6.28, young. Hirnsen Lake (N. Bohe- mia), 24.5.14. Scarborough (Yorks.), 26.12.30,by W.]J. Clarke. Skipsea (Yorks.),19.10.30, by Miss M. Cooper. Whitsand Bay (S. Corn- wall), January, 1930, by D. W. Herdman. Walthamstow (Essex), 15.2.31, by A. Holte Macpherson, Weston-super-Mare (Somerset), December, 1930, by R. Kemp. 4 Braintree (Essex), 23.3.20,m in Danske Fugle, 1930. Tilbury (Essex), 6.3.30, in ditto, and A. E. Sawdy. Ditto HG C6), Barn Elms _ Reservoir, London, 4.1.30, in ditto, and C. Weeks. Blandford (Dorse i] 24.3.28, in ditto. Dukinfield (nr. Manches- ten) 2Oul. 20) any Zools Mededeelingen, 1930. Chesterton Mills, .Cam- bridge, 26.2.29, in ditto Near Bristol(Glos.),28.1.15, by H. Tetley. COMMON GULL (Larus c. canus). Tulpe I., Oesel, E. Baltic, 29.06.29. Hallands Vader6 (Scania), Sy en SWeden) | 30:0.20, young. Scarborough (Yorks.), early 1930, by W. J. Clarke. Holme (Norfolk),19.12.30, by. Jc Ee Uhomas: VOL. XXIv.]| RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. 361 No. ° Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Recovered. COMMON GULL (continued), Skovgaard, Saltholm, off Copenhagen, Colchester (Essex), 2.11.29, Viborg, 1925. in Danske Fugle, 1930. D.2326 Ditto Ditto 1927. Wellington Bridge (Wex- K.5608 ford), 2.8.28, in ditto. Ditto Ditto 1928. Near Southampton D.948 (Hants.), 3.8.29, in ditto. Ditto Hirtsholm, off Frederiks- Darlington (Durham), D.2391 havn, 1928. 31.12.28, in ditto. Ditto Ditto ditto Herne (Kent), 17.2.29, in D.5608 ditto. Ditto Vr6j I., Sjelland, 1927. Hull (Yorks.), 1.1.28, in I.6525 ditto. Ditto Ditto 1929. Near Manningtree (Essex), D.8471 22.1.30, in ditto. Ditto Ditto ditto. Walthamstow (Essex), D.8842 26.1.30, in ditto. Ditto Ditto 1928. Margate (Kent), 20.5.29, D.6015 in ditto. Ditto Ditto 1927. Shoeburyness (Essex), IX.5647 II.11.29, in ditto. Ditto Ditto ditto. Dover (Kent), 13.12.29, in D.3516 ditto. Ditto Ditto 1927. Dovercourt (Essex), D.3505 15.2.29, in ditto. Ditto Dybs6, Sjelland, 1922. Thoresby (Lincs.), 27.2.29, KX.2032 in ditto. Ditto Lindholm, N. Coast, Laa- Saxmundham (Suffolk), D.1307 land, 1926. 1.3.29, in ditto. Ditto Ditto ditto. Preston (Lancs.), 5.3.29, in K.1573 ditto. Ditto Hjelm, off Aarhus, 1924. Norwich (Norfolk), May, X.4700 1929, in ditto. Mus. Leiden, Texel, 19.6.26, young. Boston (Lincs.), 18.2.29, in 42236 Zool. Mededeelingen, 1930. HERRING-GULL (Larus a. argentatus). Mus. Leiden, Texel, 15.7.25, young. 25867 Ditto Texel, 22.6.29, young. 79955 NORTHERN GUILLEMOT Helgoland, Heligoland, 9.7.28, young. 41013 MOORHEN (Gallinula c. Mus. Leiden, 54617 On Lightship nr. Flushing, March, 1928, ad. 3B Biley Brege (Y¥ orks.), 19.4.29, in Zool. Mede- deelingen, 1930. Grimsby (Lincs.), 24.8.29, in ditto. (Uria a. aalge). Worthing (Sussex) ,12.2.29 in Der Vogelzug. chloropus). R. Teme, nr. Worcester, 3.2.29, in Zool. Mededee- lingen, 1930. (362) OBITUARY. JOHN GUILLE MILLAIS. THE unexpected death of John Guille Millais, which occurred at Horsham on March 24th, 1931 (his sixty-sixth birthday), following an operation which suddenly became necessary, leaves us the poorer by the loss of a fine naturalist and a gifted and delightful personality. A man of remarkable versatility and great energy and enthusiasm—naturalist, author, artist, sculptor, traveller, big game hunter, horticulturist, and sportsman—the range of his interests brought him into touch with a wide circle of men of different sets and classes, among whom his kindly and straightforward nature made him a host of friends. He was one of the oldest members of the British Orni- thologists’ Union, to which he was elected in 1885, and possessed a large collection of British birds, commenced when, as a boy of thirteen, he wandered with a gun about the east coast of Scotland. These, with a fine collection of big game trophies, were housed in his private museum at Horsham, where the beautiful garden which he formed round his home bears witness to his skill in the culture of the flowering trees and shrubs which he loved so well. His principal contributions to ornithology were his works on The Natural History of British Surface-Feeding Ducks, British Diving Ducks, and The Natural History of British Game Birds. At the time of his death he was engaged on another book on British birds, dealing especially with their courtship and nuptial display. Of his other publications The Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland and his monograph of the Rhododendrons are the most important. These remain as standard and authoritative works on their subjects, while Game Birds and Shooting Sketches, The Wild Fowler in Scotland, British Deer and their Horns, A Breath from the Veldt, Newfoundland and its Untrodden Ways, biographies of his father and of his friend Selous, a book on Magnolias, and his many contributions to works on big game and shooting were all deservedly appreciated. The fourth son of the late Sir John Millais, p.r.a., he inherited an artistic talent which he devoted chiefly to . painting birds and animals, and to illustrating his books with the coloured plates and spirited drawings which gave them a distinction of their own. VOL. XXIV.] OBITUARY. 363 He was educated at Marlborough and Trinity College, Cambridge, and after some previous service in the Militia joined the rst Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders in 1886. Retiring from the army six years later, he devoted himself to his own pursuits, but during the War, in which his eldest son, Geoffroy, was killed in action, he was employed on Intelligence Department work in Norway, with the rank of Lieutenant-Commander, R.N.V.R. He married in 1894 Frances Margaret, daughter of Mr. P. G. Skipwith, who survives him, and he leaves one son, Raoul, also a talented artist, and one daughter. By those who were privileged to enjoy his friendship, “ Johnny” Millais will be greatly missed, while many who knew him only from his writings and pictures will have learned of his death with a feeling of personal loss. A. L. BUTLER. A PIED WAGTAIL ROOST IN DUBLIN. DuRING the whole of the winter of 1930-31 a large number of Pied Wagtails (Motacilla a. yarrelli1) have assembled to roost every night in a small plane-tree, scarcely twenty feet high, in the centre of Sackville Street (now called O’Connell Street), Dublin, where they have excited much notice and frequently attracted crowds of visitors. Pied Wagtails roosting in a tree in Sackville Street, Dublin. From a flashlight photograph taken by Mr. T. Mason in January, 1931. The tree (shown in Mr. T. Mason’s flashlight photograph taken in January, I931*) not only stands in the middle of a * We are greatly indebted to Mr. T. Mason for kindly allowing us to reproduce his remarkable photograph.—Ebs. VOL. XXIV.1 NOTES. 365 brightly illuminated street, but electric trams run so close (on both sides) as almost to touch it, and at the rate of two to the minute until nearly midnight. The boldness of the roosters was remarkable in many ways, for neither the crowds who gathered every night round this tree nor the tram-cars seemed to disturb them in the least. When Mr. Mason failed on his first attempt to get a satisfactory photograph he tried a stronger flash, and only three Wagtails flew out of the tree, and these very quickly returned. In the earlier part of the winter of 1929 there was a similar visitation, but after December 2nd the birds suddenly fell off in numbers, only about a dozen birds being in the tree on the 4th and none on the 6th. The desertion is thought to have been the result of ill-treatment by boys. In the autumn of 1930 the first intimation I had of the Wagtails’ return was from the Rev. P. G. Kennedy, who first saw them on October 16th back in the same tree and in about the same numbers. The number of roosting birds in the previous autumn had been estimated at about roo. In November, 1930, it was easily seen to be well over 200, and was guessed to be 300; but on December 24th a remarkably keen observer, Mr. Peter Dunn, watched them as they were leaving the tree in the early twilight between 7.30 and 7.45 a.m. and counted 450 fly out in twos and threes, after which he had to come away, but estimated that there were still 100 to 150 that had not flown. The little tree had, therefore, at the very least been the roost of over 500 birds. During all the winter months I paid frequent visits to the spot when the birds were due to assemble. In the short days they generally began to alight in the tree twenty (or perhaps oftener twenty-three) minutes after sunset, and then would come pouring in, chiefly in small parties (they gather on the roofs before descending into the tree), for about twenty minutes, when the rush would be at an end. Later in the season in March they often began arriving ten minutes after sunset—perhaps the lengthening days gave them more feeding time than they wanted. As a rule the birds begin to arrive silently, but after the influx has gone on for about ten minutes the crowd bursts into a chorus of twitters, so loud as to be audible for nearly a hundred yards in spite of the noise of the city traffic. The twittering is kept up for about five minutes. As to the time of their leaving in the morning I can only say that on January 3rd, when Dublin sunrise is due to occur 366 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. at 8.40, I passed the tree in a tram-car at 8.25 a.m. and saw “between twelve and twenty of the Wagtails still roosting ’”’. These of course would be only the laggards. On December 24th, when Mr. Dunn watched them, they began to leave rather more than an hour before sunrise, which was at 8.41. The birds seem very late about breaking up for the spring. Their numbers were first seen to be distinctly diminished in the second week of March, and at the end of that week they shifted their quarters into a second plane tree, some thirty yards from the first, which has not been occupied since. On the evening of April gth I was able to count 283 (probably missing Others) as they flew into this tree; on the 12th an attempted count made the number at least 228 ; on the 15th I saw about 110, and on the evening of the 16th the Rev. P. G. Kennedy informs me that there were only 29, and this was in fact the last night on-which any Wagtails roosted in either tree: C, B. Morrag: NUTHATCH IN CUMBERLAND. ON January rgth, 1931, a Nuthatch (Sttta e. affinis) was shot © on the shores of Brother’s-water, Cumberland. In Mac- pherson’s Fauna of Lakeland and Macpherson and Duck- worth’s Birds of Cumberland there is only one record for the county, and that as long ago as 1782, when two were shot at Armathwaite on May 11th. In the Tvansactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. III. (1923), it is recorded that a pair were seen at Boot in January, Ig21, so that this year’s bird is only the third record for Cumberland. It was an adult male. H. W. RosBinson. FIRE-CRESTED WRENS IN SUSSEX. SINCE I saw last season at least three specimens of the Fire- crest (Regulus 1. igmicapillus) near Eastbourne, it would be interesting to know whether 1929-30 was a “ Firecrest year’. Previously I had only seen one and heard of two’ others in thirty years, but last season I could almost always find one in a certain wood and saw the others in different places six or seven miles apart. The dates I saw the birds were between November 18th, 1929, and March 3rd, 1930. Though I have visited all these localities several times this season I have not seen a single bird, and I am now inclined to revise my first opinion, which was that the Firecrest had been overlooked. None of the birds seen by me were in the company of Goldcrests. One was usually in oak trees, one in furze and one in whitethorn bushes. E. C. ARNOED, VOL. XXIV. ] NOTES. 367 ' FIRE-CRESTED WREN IN NORFOLK. On March 2tst, 1931, on the edge of a pine wood near the north coast of Norfolk, I watched a Fire-crested Wren (Regulus i. tgnicapillus). The horizontal stripes across the head and face first caught my eye, even before I realized that the general size and appearance was that of the genus Regulus. I was able to get as near as the focussing mechanism of my 8 x Zeiss glasses allowed, 7.e., nine yards, and have no hesitation in recording the bird as belonging to this species. The dark line through the eye was most pronounced. RonaLD M. GARNETT. BUZZARD KILLING LITTLE OWL. WHILST walking on the headland near my house at Crantock, Cornwall, one day at the end of March, 1931, I saw a Common Buzzard (Buteo b. buteo), which was gliding about 30 feet up, suddenly drop to the ground behind a stone wall. I imme- diately ran up to the wall and looked over, but unfortunately a stone slipped and caused the bird to rise at once, before I could observe it on the ground. On going to the spot from which the bird rose, I found a Little Owl (Athene n. vidalit) with its head torn off and lying within a few inches of the body. The body was warm, fresh blood was issuing from the exposed flesh, and muscular action was causing the legs and wings to move, and it was quite obvious that the Owl had been killed by the Buzzard. HuGuH H. V. CHRISTIE. BUZZARDS USING SEAWEED FOR NEST-LINING. THE pair of Buzzards (Buteo b. buteo) which yearly nest on a sea-cliff ledge at Crantock, Cornwall, use a form of nest-lining which is not recorded in the Practical Handbook. Instead of the normal fresh green foliage, etc., used by inland birds which I have observed nesting in trees, this pair use both green and red varieties of sea-weed. This is periodically renewed as it dries up. HucuH H. V. CHRISTIE MUTE SWAN EATING FISH. I THINK that there can be no reasonable doubt that the Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) on the Lake of Geneva eat fish. I do not know if it has ever been found in the stomach contents when examined, but I have good ocular proof that they do so. As is well known, this lake abounds in vast shoals of fish about 2 ins. in length ; these are calledin French ‘“‘Ablette”’ (Alburnus lucidus). These little fish are very sluggish and keep together 368 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. in myriads, and I have often watched from the bank above the edge of the lake these Swans dipping their heads a foot or so below the surface and deliberately taking the fish and apparently swallowing them whole. Some fish which are not swallowed float disabled to the surface and are pounced upon by the Black-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus) which are sometimes in attendance on the Swans. I have not heard of this habit as being recorded elsewhere, and in the Practical Handbook no mention is made of fish forming part of the food of this species, although it is recorded of Bewick’s Swan. J. B. WaTSOoN, ALBINO PINK-FOOTED GOOSE IN NORTHUMBERLAND. AN interesting albino of the Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachy- rhynchus) arrived on the Northumbrian coast with the main body of wintering geese and has been feeding inland not far from Holy Island for some time. A local shore-shooter told me he thought it was a Snow-Goose, but having had a good view of it on several occasions between February Ist and March roth, 1931, I am quite sure that I have identified it correctly as a Pink-footed Goose. This bird is of a general ivory colour, save that the plumage at a fair distance through glasses appears “ crimped”’. This is due to paler tips to the feathers on the upper-parts. The head is of a darker shade which I should call “ biscuit- colour’’, and there is no trace of dusky on the primaries, which appear to be yellowish-white. The legs and feet are of that livid shade noticed in the young Oystercatcher, showing a definitely bluish tinge at close quarters. The bill is parti-coloured and is dark at the base. I could not observe the “ nail’’, but the centre seems almost white. The bill is characteristically short. This bird feeds in company with the normal “ Pinkfeet’’, generally with the main body, but occasionally with a little “ gagele’’ of about twenty birds. 5. W. P. PRemr: GREBES DROWNED UNDER ICE. THE Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps c. cristatus) came to their breeding-quarters in Hertfordshire rather later than usual this year (1931), but on March 4th there were thirty-six on the four pools that constitute the Tring Reservoirs, twenty- two of them in a flock on one pool. By the 8th there was a considerable increase, and on the evening of that day there VOL. XXIV. ] NOTES, 369 were forty-one on this same pool, but the hard weather in the second week of March drove most of the birds away again, and it was not until the ice had nearly disappeared that the Grebes returned, and then not all at once. The aggregate number on all four pools was thirteen on 14th, twenty-four on 15th, thirty-seven on 18th, fifty-two on 21st, and sixty-five on 27th. Of the few Grebes that remained when the waters froze some paid for their temerity with their lives. When the big floes were breaking up on the 14th the bodies of three Great Crested Grebes and a Dabchick (P. rv. ruficollis) were found frozen stiff in the pack-ice that the wind had drifted into a re-entrant angle in the bank of the biggest reservoir, which had never been entirely frozen. The birds were all in good condition and without sign of external injury. The inference was that when diving near the edge of a floe the birds had travelled under the ice, had been imprisoned and drowned when they strove to reach the surface—a subsequent autopsy by Dr. W. E. Collinge showed that their death was actually due to drowning—and that their bodies had been released and had drifted to the bank when the ice melted. Five-and-twenty years ago a somewhat similar mishap befell a Dabchick whose actions when swimming in a bath were under observation. Thinking to make the bird more com- fortable by providing a place for it to rest upon, I put a bath-cork in the bath, only to find on returning half an hour afterwards that the bird’s drowned body was beneath the floating cork. CHAS. OLDHAM. ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORTH UIST, OUTER HEBRIDES. AMERICAN WIGEON (Anas americana).—Mr. Hitchcock, proprietor of the Lochmaddy Hotel, N. Uist, has already reported to The Field the occurrence of two American Wigeon which he shot on a sea loch at no great distance from his hotel on February roth, 1931. One of the birds was a very fine adult male in typical rosy plumage, with a full white crown. The other seemed to me to be an immature female. They were killed on evening flight by Mr. Hitchcock, and a third bird flying with them was also brought down, but unfortunately was not recovered. I had, of course, no difficulty in identifying the drake, but the duck was less distinctive. It seemed to me to be paler on the head and greyer on the general body-plumage than 370 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. any Common Wigeon I have handled, and Captain Bernard Howard of Greystoke, who has an extensive knowledge of ducks, agreed with me that it was probably an American. Messrs. Rowland Ward, to whom the birds were sent for preservation, wrote to Mr. Hitchcock to say that they were both undoubtedly American Wigeon. Search was made at my request for the third member of this trio but without success. It had fallen clear of high-water mark, but was not exactly marked, and the Wigeon is so strong afoot that it might have gone any distance. Previous to this record, very severe gales from N.W. to S.W. had obtained for a considerable period. The birds were flighting to a bed of zostera and had been at sea all day by the salty condition of their plumage. HARLEQUIN DRAKE (Histrionicus /Iistriontcus).—On February 13th, 1931, some distance to the north of the Isle of Berneray, Captain Howard called my attention to a duck that was diving in company with a Long-tailed drake. We agreed that it must be a male Harlequin. Broken white face-patches were visible through glasses, and the white neck ring. The water was too rough for us to discern any of the bright chestnut flank colouring, but I am certain that I could see the white half-band from shoulder to breast. The bird dived repeatedly and was some distance on our quarter, but as both Captain Howard and I are very familiar with the Harlequin in Iceland—and indeed at Greystoke, where he has several on ornamental water hatched from Iceland-taken eggs—lI do not think there is the slightest possibility of our having misidentified this bird. GLAuCcOoUS GULL (Larus hyperboreus).—During the first week of February, 1931, a dead gull was found near the coast of Lochmaddy by Mr. Hitchcock and a ghillie. From his description of a great gull as big asa Great Black-backed, but entirely of a dirty white, having no black on the wings, this bird would appear to have been an immature Glaucous. PROBABLE ICELAND FALcon (Falco rusticolus ? subsp.).— On February 12th, 1931, in N. Uist, whilst driving to some ground where numbers of Golden Plover were supposed to be, I saw a Falcon which was very much larger and heavier than a Peregrine. It flew low and slowly from a rock by the hillside and seemed exactly of the figure of the Iceland Falcon, a bird which I know very well by sight. My only doubt as to this bird’s identity was its decidedly brown appearance. I have seen many Iceland Falcons ranging from a sort of pale cinnamon—like one now in my possession VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 371 —to the usual dark grey notched with white. This bird was far darker than any I have met with, excepting a specimen in a shop window at Reykjavik which puzzled me very much, being as dark as a Buzzard! I think this bird in N. Uist could only have been an Icelander, but whether Icelander or Gyr, it was certainly not a Peregrine. Hovuse-Sparrow (Passer domesticus)—I was informed by several inhabitants of N. Uist that the House-Sparrow has only made its appearance during the last few years. Before the War it is said to have been of extremely rare appearance, but is now common.* WHOOPER SWAN (Cygnus cygnus).—This bird has apparently increased to a tremendous extent. I was assured that about ten years ago there were quite as many Bewick’s as Whoopers. Now the Bewick has almost entirely disappeared and large herds of Whoopers frequent every suitable bit of water. They must eventually reduce the numbers of visiting Wigeon, as they uproot a vast amount of the zostera on which those ducks live, and when on deep water in a sea loch are attended by Wigeon, which benefit by their wasteful habits. One feeding-place of the Wigeon has already been almost entirely denuded of zostera. PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) and RAVENS (Corvus corax).—One incident related to me by a ghillie is worth recording. In February, 1930, a Peregrine was fatally injured in a “ sparring’ match with a pair of Ravens near Lochmaddy. This story, curiously enough, was confirmed by Captain Howard, who happened to have been out on that particular day. The Peregrine had to be “ finished off ’’and was laid by to be collected later for preservation. On the return of the party, however, it was found that Hooded Crows had eaten the body of the Falcon. S. W. P. FREME. STONE-CURLEW IN SURREY. As the Stone-Curlew (Burhinus @. e@dicnemus) does not seem to be a frequently observed visitor to the London area, it may be worth putting on record that on March 24th, 1931, I put one up on Wimbledon Common in the early morning, at 30 yards distance, and watched it go off to another part of the Common, where I was unable to find it again. R. W. HAYMAN. * Miss E. L. Turner saw a flock of House-Sparrows in Uist at the end of May, 1913 (Scott. Nat., 1914, p. 31), but except for this we have no record of the bird in the island.—Ebs. 372 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIV. DOTTEREL IN NORFOLK IN MARCH, On March 22nd, 1931, a single Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) occurred on a heath near the north Norfolk coast. It was still in winter plumage, showing only slight traces of chestnut on the flanks and of black between the legs. As is usual with this species it was exceedingly tame, allowing approach to within a few yards. It left during the morning of the 24th after a sharp fall in temperature and a rapidly rising barometer, the wind being N. to N.E. This appears to be an unusually early date of arrival in this country. RONALD M. GARNETT. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT IN ORKNEY. Ir may be of sufficient interest to note that I saw a Black- tailed Godwit (Limosa 1. limosa) on the beach at Scapa Bay on February 22nd, 1931. I raised the bird thrice and on the last occasion got within 30 yards of it and had a good look at it through my field-glasses, both while sitting on the rocks and as it flew away. The length of the legs compared with a Bar-tailed Godwit was very distinctive, and the tail was distinctly black with no barred markings. I have never seen a bird of this species in Orkney before, and I have been observing birds for fifty years. DuNcAN J. ROBERTSON. [Except for a doubtful record mentioned in the Vertebrate Fauna of the Orkney Islands we know of only one previous occurrence of the Black-tailed Godwit in Orkney—a bird seen by Messrs. J. R. Hale and T. P. Aldworth in June, 1910 (Brit. B., Vol. IV., p. 221).—Eps.] IVORY-GULL IN COUNTY DOWN. IN view of a report from Mr. A: J. Kennedy, lighthouse- keeper on the Copeland Islands and a keen observer, I visited Donahgadee, co. Down, on April 3rd, 1931, and was fortunate to be able to confirm his very interesting record of the occurrence of the Ivory-Gull (Pagophila eburnea). On my arrival, at high-tide, a flock of some 200 Black-headed and Herring-Gulls, with a few Kittiwakes, were feeding close inshore below the sea-wall of the promenade, and conspicuous among them was the Ivory-Gull. For upwards of an hour I had this bird under short-range observation with glasses, and was struck by the intimacy—one can use no other word —between it and the Herring-Gulls. Taking flight at occa- sional alarms, the Tern-like manner of the Ivory is very VOL. XXIV.] NOTES. 373 noticeable, although this particular bird was subdued and by no means noisy. Contrasted with the Black-headed Gulls when sitting on the water, the somewhat greater length and more slender build of the Ivory appear accentuated ; while in flight its superior grace and lightness of wing not only distinguish it from this species but afford it a definite advan- tage over such aerial masters as the Herring-Gulls, its larger associates. Mr. Kennedy states that he saw the bird on March rst, 2nd, and 3rd, and again from the 24th to 29th, when he returned after an absence. C. BLAKE WHELAN. GREAT CRESTED GREBE ENQUIRY.—Readers are reminded of this enquiry, details of which were given in the February issue of British Birds (antea, pp. 249-254). It is sincerely to be hoped that all readers will assist, and it may be remarked that negative evidence, as well of course as_ positive, is required to make the enquiry complete and comprehensive. A schedule was issued with each copy of the February number, but additional ones, if needed, or further information, may be obtained on application to Mr. T. H. Harrisson, Pembroke College, Cambridge.—EDs. NoTicE TO RINGERS.—IThose who have been trapping during the past winter and have retrapped ringed birds are asked to apply to 326, High Holborn, for a special form on which to record their recaptures. This form is mot intended to replace the ringing schedules, but is to be used for lists of local recoveries.—H.F.W. GREAT GREY SHRIKE IN OXFORDSHIRE.—Mr. E. L. King informs us that on April 6th, 1931, he had a close view of a Great Grey Shrike (Lantus excubitor) which was perched on the top of a hawthorn hedge on Otmoor. HOooPpoE IN SURREY IN MaArcH.—Mr. E. C. Rowberry informs us that on the afternoon of March 22nd, 1931, he and his wife watched a Hoopoe (Upupa e. epops) at close range for fully five minutes in N.W. Surrey. This is an early date for the bird’s appearance. BLACK-NECKED GREBE IN SOUTH WALEsS.—With reference to the note on this subject (antea, p. 342) Mr. E. H. Mills informs us that he has a specimen in his possession which was shot on October 22nd, 1926, on the estuary near Carew Castle, Pembroke. 374 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. KXLY, GREEN SANDPIPER IN SUSSEX IN WINTER.—Mr. H. Whistler informs us that he twice flushed a Green Sandpiper (Tinga ochropus) on February 17th, 1931, in the marsh below Winchelsea. REVIEW. Nicoll’s Birds of Egypt. By Colonel R. Meinertzhagen, D.s.o. 2 vols. 4to. (13x 10.) Plates and text figures. (Hugh Rees.) 30s. net. In his preface Colonel Meinertzhagen states that he has endeavoured to make this book a fit and worthy memorial to his friend, Michael Nicoll. This he has certainly done, and a fine and comprehensive work is the result; and we may add that the Egyptian Government, under whose authority it is issued, have evidently been generous, and have made it possible to publish so large and fully illustrateda work at a price impossible without very considerable financial assistance. In r919 Nicoll published a Handlist of the Birds of Egypt, which was admittedly merely a beginning to pave the way to a comprehensive account of the subject. Unfortunately, Nicoll’s lamented early death prevented his writing more than asmall portion of such a work, but he left many valuable notes and, as Colonel Meinertzhagen states, an unrivalled collection of birds (at Giza), and without this collection the systematic portion which forms the basis of this work could not have been written. Colonel Meinertzhagen’s task has nevertheless been a heavy one. The present work deals with what now comprises the kingdom of Egypt from Cyrenaica to the Red Sea, as well as the Peninsula of Sinai, a vast and varying country, which the author divides into no less than six faunal areas. While the birds of the Nile and the Faiyum were well known, there were many parts of the kingdom which had not been ornithologically explored, and Colonel Meinertzhagen was enabled, with the assistance of the Govern- ment, to fill the more important of the gaps by visiting the western coastal area, Upper Egypt, the Red Sea, various oases and the Sinai Peninsula. From the result of these researches, combined with a re-examination of Nicoll’s collection, his notes and past work on the subject, Colonel Meinertzhagen has produced a very full and valuable work, which will be greatly appreciated by ornithologists. In the systematic portion we have under each form a brief descrip- tion, a general idea of its distribution, and a more particular account of its range and status in Egypt, notes on nidification, if it breeds in the area, some excellent paragraphs on field-characters and references to allied forms. Keys and a short synonymy are also provided. The author shows proper discrimination in accepting records, and we quite approve of his rule not to add definitely to the list a bird which has been only seen. For instance, the Pied Wagtail, which always seemed to us a most doubtful occurrence, is relegated to a note within square brackets, although it rests on an observation made by Nicoll himself, who was one of the best men in the field there ever was, but it must be remembered that there are other forms of Motacilla alba which have black on the upper-parts. There are some valuable preliminary chapters to which attention must be drawn. These include accounts of physical geography and VOL. XXIV.] REVIEW. 375 geology (with maps), evolution (a section which seems rather out of place) and the origin of life in Egypt. An illustrated section, which has been undertaken by Mr. R. E. Moreau, deals with the birds of Ancient Egypt, and this will interest many. It aims at giving a complete list of identifiable species from inscriptions and scenes on the monuments and from mummified birds. There is also a chapter on Bird Protection in Egypt, but that on Migration will perhaps be of chief interest to ornithologists. In his preliminary remarks on this subject, it is of importance to note that the author states that all evidence goes to show that Egypt and Sinai draw their migrants from the north, and especially from the north-east and not from the west. Corroboration of this is afforded by the fact that notwithstanding the tremendous slaughter of migrants in Egypt for many years, only three birds ringed in the west have been reported, viz., a White Stork from northern Germany, a Pintail from the Volga, and a Red- backed Shrike from Denmark, this last being a remarkable record.* A section on Migration within Egypt by Mr. R. E. Moreau is of considerable interest. The most notable point of this is that very few observations have been made outside the Nile valley, but that those few which have been made (mainly by Mr. Moreau or at his instigation) show that a multitude of birds migrate across the deserts even over their worst areas of sterility. Dr. Hartert’s observations in the western Sahara in 1912 showed that numerous migrants crossed that part of the desert, and these two sets of observations afford further facts in support of our belief that migration proceeds on a very broad front and that so-called routes, such as coast-lines and river-valleys, are merely areas where birds are concentrated (probably for varying reasons) and therefore more obvious. The work concludes with a number of appendices and is well illus- trated with plates and text figures by Messrs. G. E. Lodge, H. Grénvold and Roland Green. It is impossible here to discuss the book in further detail, but we hope that enough has been said to show that Colonel Meinertzhagen is to be much congratulated on having produced a very excellent and important piece of work. H. F. WITHERBY. * In a review of the book in The [bis it is stated (1931, p. 384) that a Swift marked at Suakim was found dead at New Ross, Wexford, in May, 1886 (Field, May 29th, 1886, also quoted in Ussher & Warren, Birds of Iveland, p. 103). This refers to a bird which, when picked up, is stated to have had a piece of paper tied under its tail bearing the inscription ‘‘ Mary Elsam, Suakim, Egypt, 10.3.86.’’ So far as we know there is no evidence that the piece of paper was fastened to the bird at Suakim and there seems no good reason for taking such a record seriously. NUTHATCH SHELTERING YOUNG FROM SUN. To the Editors of BriTIsH BirRDs. Sirs,—With reference to the observations of Mr. J. H. Owen and Mr. Ralph Chislett on birds protecting their young from the direct rays of the sun (antea, pp. 261 and 302), the following evidence may be worth recording. i Last year a Nuthatch (Svtta e. affinis) nested in a nesting-box fixed low down on the trunk of an oak tree within sight of my window. The first egg was laid on May 1st; there were five eggs on May 5th; the nest was not looked at again until the 25th, on which date it contained five very small young, which looked as if they might have been three or four days old. This nesting-box is exposed to the afternoon sun. Looking towards it on the afternoon of June 3rd I noticed that the black disc of shadow representing the entrance hole, usually so conspicuous, seemed to have disappeared. Going up to the box quietly to investigate, I found that the hole was completely stopped by the breast of the Nuthatch, which was clinging across it on the inside, her claws grasping the lower rim of the hole, and her puffed up feathers filling it. A spell of fine and hot weather followed until the young left the nest (which they did on June 15th, forty-six days after the laying of the first egg), and during afternoons when the sun was on the box she did the same thing daily. The particular box is a shallow one (it is, to be exact, a round tin cased in thick bark lashed round it with wire), and the ray of light entering the hole must have slanted almost directly on to the young birds a few inches below it. I missed the point of the bird’s action myself, imagining that she was airing her breast after brooding her young in the heat and stuffi- ness of the nest, and I am indebted to Mr. Jourdain for the much more probable suggestion that she was intercepting the ray of light. I should imagine that birds which nest in holes rarely require to protect their young from the sun, but, apparently, they recognize and meet the need when it arises. A. L. BUTLER. HorsHaMm, March 22nd, 1931. THE SOARING OF THE CHOUGH. To the Editors of BritisH BirDs. Sirs,—In British Bivds, Vol. XS XIII., p. 59, I notice that the editors, in a footnote to Colonel B. H. Ryves’s comment on the above, state that Ussher (B. of Iveland, p. 84) appears to be the only author who refers to this soaring flight. May I remark that I made allusion to it in Field-Studies of some Rarer British Birds, pp. 77-8, thus: “ again they (a pair) climb high into the heavens and sail round each other in slow, stately spirals, or soar head to wind, in this way mimicing a favourtie habit of the Raven and many of the Raptors.” JoHN WALPOLE-BOND. (377) INDEX. Note.—The nomenclature followed in this volume is in accordance with the ‘‘ Systematic List ’’ printed at the end of the Volume II. of A Practical Handbook of British Birds and reprinted in A Check-List of British Birds, and the additions and alterations appearing on pages 101-2 of Volume XXII. and pages 24 and 25 of Volume XXIV. of British Birds. aalge, Uria a., see Guillemot, Northern. acuta, Anas, see Pintail. @vuginosus, Circus, see Harrier, Marsh-. affinis, Sitta e., see Nuthatch. ——, Sylvia c., see Whitethroat, Siberian Lesser. alba, Crocethia, see Sanderling. Motacilla a., see Wagtail, White. , Lyto a., see Owl, Barn-. albellus, Mergus, see Smew. albicilla, Haligetus, see White-tailed. albifrons, Sterna a., see Tern, Little. albionis, Uvria a., see Guillemot, Southern. ALEXANDER, W. B., Letter on Traps for Bird Ringing: The Potter Trap, 302. alle, Alle, see Auk, Little. ALLEN, Mrs. G. SEyMourR, Note on diet of young Buzzard, 79. ALMOND, W. E., see ROBINSON, M. G. altifrons, Charadrius a., see Plover, Northern Golden. Eagle, americana, Anas, see Wigeon, American. antiquorum, Pheenicopterus, see Flamingo. apiaster, Merops, see Bee-eater. apivorus, Pernis a., see Buzzard, Honey-. apus, Apus a., see Swift. arborea, Lullula a., see Lark, Wood-. arctica, Fratercula, see Puffin. avcticus, Colymbus a., see Diver, Black-throated. argentatus, Larus a., see Gull, Herring-. aristotelis, Phalacrocorax a., see Shag. ARMITAGE, JOHN, Field-notes on the SubalpineWarbler (Plate 2), 176; Note on Snow-Buntings in Lancashire, 255. ARMSTRONG, HAMILTON, Note on Brent Goose in Co, Down in mid-June, 83. ARNOLD, E. C., Note on Fire- crested Wrens in Sussex, 366. arquata, Numenius a., see Curlew, Common. arvensis, Alauda, see Lark, Sky-. AsTLEY, A., Notes on Pied Fly- catcher eating worms, 52; Blackbird feeding young on minnows, 76. Atlantic, (North), An Ornithological Transect of the, 266. atricapilla, Sylvia a., see Blackcap. Auk, Little, in Essex, 99; Inland in Kent, 226. aureus, Turdus d., see Thrush, White’s. auritus, Podiceps, see Grebe, Slavonian. Austin, S., Note on Pied Fly- catcher in Middlesex, 28. Avocet, in Ireland, 226 ; in Norfolk, 317. avosetta, Recurvirostra, see Avocet. BaiLy, W. SHORE, Note on Quail in Wiltshire in December, 260. BarcLay, Miss M., Notes on Green Woodpecker in West Ross- shire, 129; Osprey in Ross- shire, 192; Habits of an Osprey in Norfolk, 193 ; Grey Wagtail swimming, 256. Bardsey Island, Some further Notes on the Birds of, 121. bassana, Sula, see Gannet. BATTERSBY, EDMUND, see OAKES, CLIFFORD. Bee-eater, Supposed, in Oxford- shire, 231. BEEsTON, T. J., Migration Routes of Wood-Pigeons in Worces- tershire, 326. BENTHAM, Howarp, Note on Moorhens killing House- Martin, 168. bewickti,Cygnus, see Swan, Bewick’s- Biology of Birds, Our Present Knowledge of the Breeding, 138. 378 BisHop, J., Notes on Swallow breeding on Foula, Shetlands, 338; Nightjar in Shetlands, 339- Bittern, Breeding in Norfolk, 315. , Little, in Ireland, 225; in Oxfordshire, 231. Blackbird, Incubating Thrush’s eggs, 52; Feeding young on Minnows, 76; KRe- covery of marked, 184, 358 ; In- cubation- and Fledging-periods of, 124, 219; Courtship Dis- play, 256. Blackcap, Laying twice in same nest, 76; Wintering in War- wickshire, 338. BLATHWAYT, Rev. F. L., Note on Iceland Gull in Somerset, 344. Bluethroat, Norwegian, in Norfolk, 313. ——, White-spotted, Song- in Norfolk, Bune Bootu, H. B., Letter on Night Soaring of Swifts, 111. borin, Sylvia, see Warbler, Garden-. Boyp, A. W., Notes on the Birds of Scilly, 208; Notes from Staffordshire Reservoirs, 277 ; On some Results of Ringing Greenfinches, 329; Notes on large brood of Pied Wagtails, 105; Melanic nestlings of the Lapwing, 109; Choice of first nesting-site by Swallows, 160 ; Size of Swallow broods in Cheshire, 160 ; Common Buzzards in Cheshire, 258; Rapid colonization by the Great Crested Grebe, 259; “ Ringed-birds ’’ found in nests Of ithe Owl 2025 zon Unusual number of Black Terns in Cheshire, 297. brachydactyla, Calandvella b., see Lark, Short-toed. brachyrhynchus, Ansey, see Goose, Pink-footed. BRAUND, HAROLD E. W., Note on Alpine Swift in Essex, 192. brenta, Bernicla, see Goose, Brent. britannica, Certhia f., see Creeper, Tree-. britannicus, Carduelis c., see Gold- finch. , Parus a., see Titmouse, Coal-. British List, Alterations to, 22. BRITISH BIRDS. BrRooKER, B. T., and CAWKELL, E. M., Note on Osprey a2 Sussex, 221. Brown, R. H., Notes on Pied Flycatcher eating worms, 76 ; Incubation- and _ Fledging- periods of Barn-Owl, 295; Letter on nestling Willow- Warblers hissing, 88. Bullfinch, Strangled by nest horse- hair, 27; Incubation- and Fledging-periods, 218. Bunting, Cirl, in Ayrshire, 32; in Forfarshire, 32. ——, Little, at MHoly Northumberland, 157. =, (Ortolan, at. Bass ixock, 325 at Fair Isle, 32; in Norfolk,312. ——, Reed-, Sheltering young from sun, 157, 197, 303; Incuba- tion- and Fledging-periods, 218. ——, Snow-, in Lancashire, 255. ——, Yellow, Incubation- and Fledging-periods of, 124; Re- covery of marked, 182. Bur inson, F. J., Note on Rook carrying up and _ dropping Pot €229255- Butter, A. L., Obituarial Notice of J; G. Mallais® 360257 sVettensonu Nuthatch sheltering young from sun, 376. buteo, Buteo 6., see Common. Buzzard, Common, Diet of young, 79; Breaking through glass of greenhouse, 162; in Cheshire, 258; Killing Little Owl, 367; Using seaweed for nest-lining, 367. : ——, Honey-, in Kent, 162, 163; Food of, 163 ; in Norfolk, 314. Island, Buzzard, —, Rough-legged, in Ireland, 225, cabaret, Carduelis 1l., see Redpoll, Lesser. CAMPBELL, BRUCE, Note on Osprey in Argyllshire, 163. CAMPBELL, JAMES W., Some Essex Bird Notes, 1929-30, 97. campestris, Anthus c., see Pipit, Tawny. candicans, Falco r., Greenland. cannabina, Carduelis c., see Linnet. canorus, Cuculus, see Cuckoo. cantillans, Sylvia c., see Warbler, Subalpine. see Falcon, INDEX. canus, Larus c., see Gull, Common. carbo, Phalacrocovax c., see Cor- morant. CARROLL, C. J., Note on Crossbills eating crab-apples, 189. caryocatactes, Nucifraga, Nutcracker. CasH, JAMEs L., Letter on “‘ Night Soaring of Swifts,’ 88. CAWKELL, E. M., see BROOKER, i. T, Chaffinches, Caught in nest-lining, 156; Large clutch of eggs, 157; Recovery of marked, 181, 358; at Scilly Isles, 208 ; Incubation- and _ Fledging- periods, 218. CHANCE, EpcarR P., Notes on Cuckoos’ in 1930, roo: on Blackcap laying twice in same nest, 76; Letters on Return of Cuckoo to same territory in successive seasons, t11; Delayed laying of a Lapwing, 112. Chiffchaff, in Ireland, 224; in Norfolk, 312. CHISLETT, RALPH, Letter on Reed- Bunting sheltering young from sun, 261. chloris, Chloris c., see Greenfinch. chlovopus, Gallinula ch., see Moor- hen. Chough, in Somerset, 230; Soaring of, 376. CurisTIE, Capt. HuGH H. V., Notes on Buzzard killing Little Owl, 367; Buzzards using seaweed for nest-lining, 367. chrysaetus, Aquila c., see Eagle, see Late, Golden. ciconia, Ciconia c., see Stork, White. cinerea, Ardea c., see Heron, Common. —, Moztacilla c., see Wagtail, Grey. civlus, Emberiza, see Bunting, Cirl. citrinella, Emberiza, see Bunting, Yellow. clangula, Bucephala, see Goldeneye. CLrarK, H. H. Gorpon, Letter on Cuckoo with same note re- turning for twelve years, 88. clavkei, Turdus ph., see Thrush, Song-. clypeata, Spatula, see Shoveler. CocHRANE, CAPT. HENRY L., Note 379 on Pied Flycatcher in Bucking- hamshire, 28. coccothraustes, Coccothraustes c., see Hawfinch. celebs, Fringilla c., see Chaffinch. ceruleus, Parus, see Titmouse, Continental Blue. CoLLENETTE, C. L., Notes on Hawfinch building three nests in a season, 103; Spotted Flycatcher’s nest used twice in one year by different pairs, 126. collurio, Lanius c., see Shrike, Red- backed. collybita, Phylloscopus Chiffchaff. CoLttHRUP, C. W., Note on West- ward Migration of Swallows and Martins in north Kent in autumn, 28. communis, Sylvia c., see White- throat. CONGREVE, Major W. M., Notes on Bullfinch strangled by nest horse-hair, 27; Rapid replace- ment of nest by Pied Wagtail, 189; Late stay of Curlew on Welsh breeding-grounds, 1096. Cook, S. E., Note on Northern Great Spotted Woodpecker in Durham, 292. corvax, Corvus, see Raven. CoRLETT, CAPT. GEOFFREY, Notes on the Winter Status of the Bass Rock Gannets, 54; on Montagu’s Harrier, 94. Cormorant, Recovery of marked, 188 ; in Inner London, 324. ——, Southern, Addition to the British List, 22. Corncrake, Calling on the wing, 300. corone, Corvus, see Crow, Carrion-. coturnix, Coturnix c., see Quail. CowarpD, T. A., Autumn Passage on Cheshire Sewage Farm, 275. Crake, Spotted, in Hertfordshire, c., see 56; Breeding in Somerset- shire, 56. Crane, Common, Alteration of name of, 25. crecca, Anas, see Teal. Creeper, Tree-, Nesting close to the ground, 75; Removing de- serted eggs and laying again, 190. crex, Crex, see Rail, Land-. cristatus, Podiceps, see Grebe, Great Crested. 380 Crook, W. M., Letter on Rooks dropping shellfish, 304. Crossbill, Immigration in 1930, IIo, 155, 220; Eating apples, 125 ; Breeding in Surrey, 156; Eating crab-apples, Scilly Isles, 208. Crow, Carrion-, Building with wire, 51; Recovery of marked, 179. Cuckoo, Removing Cuckoo’s egg from a nest and its sequel, 53; Ringed in Buckinghamshire and __ re- covered in French Camaroons, 77; Early laying of, in Chaf- finch’s mest, 77; Egg in Blackbird’s nest, 84; Re- turning, for twelve years, 88 ; Notes on, in 1930, t00; Return of, to same territory in succes- sive seasons, 111; Young fed by Wren, 168; Recovery of marked, 186. cucullatus, Mergus, see Merganser, Hooded. Curlew, Late stay of, on Welsh breeding-grounds, 196; Re- covery of marked, 214, 359; in Inner London, 324. , stone-, in Surrey, 371. curvivostva, Loxia c., see Crossbill. cyanecula, Luscinia s., see Blue- throat, White-spotted. cyaneus, Circus c., see Harrier, Hen-. cygnus, Cygnus, see Swan, Whooper. Dac ey, LIONEL H., Note on early and late Swallows and curious nesting-site in Kent, 257. Day, PETER, Note on possible courtship flight of Long-tailed dit 23% deserti, CEnanthe d., see Wheatear, Desert-. Dewar, D., Note on Incubation- and Fledging-periods of Wren and Wood-Warbler, 220. DEWHURST, CAPTAIN F. W., R.M., Field-notes on the Sheld-Duck, 66. Dipper, Incubation- and Fledging- periods of, 124. discors, Anas, see Teal, American Blue-winged. Diver, Black-throated, in Essex, 98, 296; at Staines, 354. ——, Great Northern, in Essex, 98 ; on a Staffordshire Reservoir, 278; at Staines, 354. n80,s sat | another | BRITISH BIRDS. Diver, Red-throated, in Essex, 98. domesticus, Passey d., see Sparrow, House-. Dotterel, in Norfolk in March, 372. dougalli, Sterna d., see Tern, Roseate. Dove, Stock-, Incubation- and Fledging-periods of, 124. ——, Turtle-, at Scilly Isles, 209 ; Recovery of marked, 213; in Ireland, 225. dvesservri, Parus p., see Titmouse, Marsh-. Duck, Golden-eye, Immature Drakes in Middlesex through- out summer, 1929, 340. ———,Harlequin-, in Outer Hebrides, 37°. ——, Long-tailed, in Essex, 97. ——, Scaup, Marked in Iceland, and recovered in British Isles, 72, 359; at London Reservoirs, 355» 356. ——, Sheld-, Field-notes on, 66; Nesting in gun-emplacement in Kent, 85 ; Recovery of Marked, 187. ——, Tufted, Marked in Iceland, and recovered in the British Isles, 71 ; Breeding in Dorset, 82); Breeding in Slave, 110; Nesting in Wiltshire, 230; Recovery of Marked, 359. Eagle, Golden, in Somerset, 230. , White-tailed, in Hampshire, 23%) an BerksShine 2a i. eburnea, Pagophila, see Gull, Ivory-. EGGELING, W. J., Note on Tawny Owl taking Yellow Bunting, NOZs —, , and EGGELING, A. H., Note on Incubation- and Fledging-periods of some British Birds, 124. Egret, Little, in Devonshire, 131. Eider, Common, Increase in Skye, 110. Brtiorr, J. S., Notes on Cuckoo removing another Cuckoo’s egg from a nest, and its sequel, 53 ; Nesting-period of the Starling, 73; Tree-Creeper nesting close to the ground, 75 EvLiis, PETER C., Note on Hen- Harrier in Yorkshire, 30. epops, Upupa e., see Hoopoe. evythvinus, Carpodacus e., see Gros- beak, Scarlet. INDEX. erythvopus, Tvinga, see Redshank, Spotted. Essex Bird Notes, 1929-30, 97. euvop@us, Caprimulgus e., see Nightjar. excubitor, Lanius, see Shrike, Great Grey. faeroeensis, Capella g., see Snipe, Faeroe, falcinellus, Plegadis f., see Ibis, Glossy. Falcon, Greenland, in Inverness- shire, 131; in Ireland, 225. ——, Iceland, Probable, in N. Uist, 379. , Peregrine, Nesting on Salis- bury Cathedral, 230; With four young and one egg, 258 ; “ Ringed birds’’ found in nests of, 294; Killed by Raven, 371. ferina, Nyroca f., see Pochard, Common. Fincn, F. R., Notes on Little Stint | in Surrey, 166; Grey Phala- rope in Surrey, 166; Black- throated Diver in Essex, 296. FIncueEr, F., Birds at South Stafford- shire Sewage Farms, 279; Notes on Wood-Lark in Staffordshire, 75; Nuthatch in Cardiganshire, 75. Flamingo, in Norfolk, 315. flammeus, Asio f., see Owl, Short- eared. flava, Motacilla f., Blue-headed. flavipes, Tringa, see Yellowshank. flavirostris, Carduelis f., see Twite. Fledging- and Incubation-periods of some British Birds, 124. Flycatcher, Pied, in Buckingham- shire and Middlesex, Eating worms, 52, 76; at Scilly Isles, 209; in Ireland, 224; in London, 323. ——, Spotted, Nest used twice in one year by different pairs, 126; at Scilly Isles 209; Incubation- and Fledging-periods, 219. formosa, Anas, see Teal, Baikal. FREME, S. W. P., Notes on Albino Pink-footed Goose in Northum- berland, 368; Ornithological Notes from N. Uist, 360. see Wagtail, FROHAWK, F. W., Note on Yellow- | browed Warbler, Surrey, 159. seen in | Gannet, 28: 381 frugilegus, Corvus f., see Rook. fulicarius, Phalaropus, see Phala- rope, Grey. fuligula, Nyvroca, see Duck, Tufted. Fulmar, seen in North Atlantic, 273. fusca, Oidemia, see Scoter, Velvet. fuscus, Larus f., see Gull, Scandina- vian Lesser Black-backed. Gadwall, Marked in Iceland and recovered in the British Isles, 70; in Kent, 108; in Glamor- ganshire, 232. g@ethkei, Luscinia s., see Bluethroat, Norwegian. gallinago, Capella g., see Snipe. Winter status of Bass Rock, 54; Recovery of Marked, 188; in Ireland, 225 ; in North Atlantic, 272. Garganey, Breeding in Somerset- shire, 54; Breeding in Dorset, 82; Breeding status of, in Essex, 108; ona Staffordshire Reservoir, 277; Numbers breeding in Norfolk, 316. GARNETT, R. M., Notes on House- Sparrows ejecting Martins, 104; Fire-crested Wren in Norfolk, 367; Dotterel in Norfolk in March, 372. garrulus, Coracias g., see Roller. garzetta, Egretta, see Egret, Little. gibraltariensis, Phanicurus o., see Redstart, Black. GILLMAN, H. C. R., Note on Green- land Falcon in Inverness-shire, EAt. glacialis, Fulmarus g., see Petrel, Fulmar. GLADSTONE, Hucu S., Note on Red-breasted Merganser in Dumfriesshire, 165. glaveola, Tringa, see Wood-. Godwit, Bar-tailed, On a South Staffordshire Sewage Farm,28o. ——., Black-tailed, in Kent, 83; in Ireland, 226; in Somerset, 230; ona South Staffordshire Sewage Farm, 280 ; in Norfolk, 3173 in ‘Orkney; 372. Goldeneye, On a _ Staffordshire Reservoir, 278; at Staines, Sandpiper, 300" Goldfinch, Incubation- and Fledg- ing-periods, 218. 382 Goosander, Breeding of, in Selkirk- shire, 111; in Buckingham- shire, 221; ona Staffordshire Reservoir, 278; at London Reservoirs, 356. Goose, Brent, in co. Down in mid- June, 83. ——., Pink-footed, in Shetland, 110; Albino, in Northumberland, 368. ——, Snow-, at Islay, 32. Gorpon, SETON, Some Breeding- habits of the Storm-Petrel, 245. egvabe, Fratercula a., see Puffin. grelisii, Larus f., see Gull, British Lesser Black-backed. GRAHAM, LiguT. R.R., R.N., Safety Devices in the Wings of Birds, (Plate) he sass, 207. Gray, H. St. GEorRGE, Letter on Report on Somerset Birds, 1929, 262. Grebe, Black-necked, Breeding in Ireland, 170; its status as a breeding-bird in Great Britain, 170 ; Breeding in Yorkshire, 222; in Hertfordshire, a cor- rection, 223 ; in Inner London, 301, 324; in South Wales, 342, 373: , Great Crested, Enquiry (1931), 249, 373; Rapid colonization by, 259; Drowned under ice, 368. ——,, Little, at Scilly Isles, 209. ——, Red-necked, at Staines, 354. , Slavonian, at Staines, 354. GREEN, D. E., Notes on Peregrine Falcon with four young and one egg, 258; Corncrake calling on the wing, 300. Greenfinch, Breeding in Skye, 110 ; Recovery of Marked, 181; Incubation- and _ Fledging- periods, 218; Results. of Ringing, 329. Greenshank, at Scilly Isles, 209; on a Cheshire Sewage Farm, Pfs. griseigena, Podiceps, see Grebe, Red-necked. Grosbeak, Scarlet, at Fair Isle, 32, 8 4. Grouse, Black, and Grouse, Red, Hybrid between, 302. grus, Grus, see Crane, Common. grylle, Uria g., see Guillemot, Black. Guillemot, in Inner London, 197. BRITISH BIRDS. Guillemot, Black, in Cornwall, 197 , Northern, Recovery of marked, 361. ——, Southern, Distribution of, 300 ; in Inner London, 323. gularis, Cinclus c., see Dipper. Gull, Black-headed, Twenty-year old, ringed, 55; Recovery of marked, 216, 360; The Birth of a, 283. ——, British Lesser Black-backed, Alteration of name of, 24. ——, Common, at Scilly Isles, 209 ; Recovery of marked, 216, 360. ——, Glaucous, in Ireland, 226; in Norfolk, 318; in co. Kerry, 343% im IN. Uist, 370: , Great Black-backed, Marked in Iceland and recovered in the British Isles, 72; Recovery of marked, 2106. , Herring-, marked, 216, 361; North Atlantic, 273. ——, Iceland, in Somerset, 344 ; in Norfolk, 318. ——., Ivory-, in Sussex, 299; in County Down, 372. ——, Lesser Black-backed, at Scilly Isles, 210; Recovery of marked, 216. ——, Little, in Fifeshire, 197; on the Yorkshire coast, 297; in Norfolk, 318. ——, Scandinavian Lesser Black- backed, in Berwickshire, 32; in Argyllshire, 32; in Orkney, 32; in Norfolk, 318. GUNN, DONALD, Notes on immature Goldeneye Drakes in Middle- sex throughout summer, 1929, 340; Shag in Middlesex, 341. GuRNEY, G. H., Note on Osprey in Suffolk, 165. Recovery of Seen in HALE, Rev. J. R., Notes on Ring- Ouzel in Kent in July, 106; ' Hen-Harrier in Kent, 221. halietus, Pandion, see Osprey. HARDIMAN, J. P., Note on Bewick’s Swan in Essex, 339. Harpy, Eric, Note on Courtship Display of the Blackbird, 256. Harrier, Hen-, in Yorkshire, 30: in Kent, 221, 261; in Norfolk, emae INDEX. Harrier, Marsh-, Incubation-period of, 79; in Essex, 97; Breeding in Norfolk, 314. ——, Montagu’s, Clutch of ten eggs, 81; Notes on, 94; Recovery of marked, 186, 358 ; Reported breeding in Ireland, 227; Breeding in Norfolk, 314. HARRISON, Dr. JAMES M., Note on Honey-Buzzards in Kent, 162. Harrisson, T. H., and HARRISSON, W. R., ~ Incubation- and Fledging-periods of British Birds, 218. , and HOoL.Lom, ® A. D.,Great Crested Grebe Enquiry (1931), 249; Note on Crossbills breeding in Surrey, 156. — —, and WYNNE- | Epwarps, V. C., Note on Wood-Sandpiper on Lundy Island, 83. Hawk, Sparrow-, Recovery of marked, 187; ‘‘ Ringed birds’’ found in nests of, 294; in London, 324. Hawfinch, in Inner London, 74; Building three nests season, 103. Hayman, R. W., Curlew in Surrey, 371. Herbert, E. G., Note on Nightin- gale on migration in Norfolk, 192. Heron, Recovery of marked, 187, 35°: —, Buff-backed, Escaped, in Surrey and Devonshire, 85. ——, Night-, in Ireland, 225. ——.,, Purple, in Northamptonshire, 231. Heronries, Census of—a correction, 133. Herons and Magpies nesting in same tree, 84. hiaticula, Charadrius h., see Plover, Ringed. HIBBERT-WARE, Miss A., Note on Rooks collecting rubber objects, 27. hibernans, Saxicolat., see Stonechat. hirundo, Sterna h., see Tern, Common. hispanus, Dryobates m., see Wood- pecker, Spanish Great Spotted. histrionicus, Histrionicus, see Duck, Harlequin-. oe Note on Stone- | / 383 Hobby, in Sutherlandshire, IIo ; in Ireland, 225. Hottom, P. A. D., see HARRISSON, 4, A, Hott, E. G., Note on actions of Grey Phalaropes in Somerset, 166. homochroa, CEnanthe d., see Wheat- ear, Western Desert-. Hoopoe, in Argyllshire, Surrey in March, 373. hortulana, Emberiza, see Bunting, Ortolan. Humpusreys, G. R., Notes on Red- backed Shrike in Cork, 338; Glaucous Gull in Kerry, 343; Letter on Roseate Tern in West Ireland, 304. , see STONEY, C. V. hyemalis, Clangula, see Duck, Long- tailed. hyperboreus, Anser,see Goose,Snow-. , Larus, see Gull, Glaucous. hypoleuca, Muscicapa h., see Fly- catcher, Pied. hypoleucos, Tringa, see Sandpiper, Common. 52; in Ibis, Glossy, in Hampshire, 168. icterina, Hippolais, see Warbler, Icterine. ignicapillus, Regulus 1., Fire-crested. immer, Colymbus, see Diver, Great Northern. Incubation- and Fledging-periods of some British Birds, 124. INGRAM, GEOFFREY C. S., Note on Redstarts feeding upon elder- berries, 127. see Wren, ——,and SALMON, H. MorREY, Note on the Black-necked Grebe in South Wales, 342. interpres, Arenariat., seeTurnstone. Ireland, Birds in, 224. ispida, Alcedo a., see Kingfisher. Jackdaw, Breeding-habits of, 52; Incubation- and _ Fledging- periods of, 124; Recovery of marked, 179. Jay, Killing fully-grown young of _ Song-Thrush, 103; Recovery of marked, 179; in Inner London, 323. Jones, Enarip E., Note on Osprey in Surrey, 165. 384 Jopson, D. F., Note on Osprey in Cumberland, 131. Joy, Dr. Norman H., Note on fatal collision of Swifts, 161. JourDarn, Rey. B.C Ro oOur Present Knowledge of the Breeding Biology of Birds, 138 ; Note on breeding of the Gar- ganey and Tufted Duck in Dorset, 82. —— Major R. O., Note on Buzzard breaking through glass greenhouse, 162. Kestrel, Large clutch of eggs, 85 ; Young killing youngest of brood, 107) Kecovery, sot marked, 186; “ Ringed-birds”’ found in pellet of, 294. Kine, E. L., Notes on Black-tailed Godwit in Kent, 83; Great Grey Shrike in Oxfordshire, 373: Kingfisher, at Scilly Isles, 209. KIRKMAN, F. B., The Birth of a Black-headed Gull, 283. Kite, Status of, in Wales, 232. Kittiwake, Recovery of marked, 239; in North Atlantic, 273; on a Staffordshire Reservoir, 279; at Staines, 354. kleinschmidti, Pavrus a., see Tit- mouse, Willow-. kuhhi, Puffinus, see Mediterranean. Shearwater, Lack, Davip L., The Spring Migra- tion, 1930, at the Cambridge Sewage Farm, 145; Migration at Cambridge, autumn, 1930, 280; A Further Note on Double Brooding of the Night- jar, 130. lagopus, Buteo, see Buzzard, Rough-legged. LAIDLAW, TI. G., Note on Scarce Migrants at Holy Island, Northumberland, 157. Lancum, F. Howarp, Note on Starling’s unusual nesting-site, 73: lapponica, Limosa l., see Godwit, Bar-tailed. Lapwing, Melanic nestlings of, 1009 ; Delayed laying, 112; Re- covery of marked, 213, 359; in Inner London, 324. Lark, Short-toed, at Fair Isle, 84. BRITISH BIRDS. Lark, Sky-, Fly-catching action of, 105; Recovery of marked, 182. ——, Wood-, at Fair Isle, 32; in Staffordshire, 75. Leacu, Miss E. P., Notes on “yinged-birds ’’ found in pel- lets or nests of Owls and Hawks, 292-295. , see WITHERBY, Jey Be leucopterus, Larus, see Gull, Iceland. leucorodia, Platalea 1., see Spoonbill. leucorrvhoa, Oceanodroma, see Petrel, Leach’s Fork-tailed. ——, CGnanthe @., see Wheatear, Greenland. LrEwis, STANLEY, Note on Cross- bills eating apples, 125. limosa, Limosa l., see Godwit, Black-tailed. Linnet, Recovery of marked, 181, 358; Late nest of, in Norfolk, Rie. LITTLEJOHN, H. A.,see PARMENTER, Tes Lioyp, BERTRAM, Note on Nut- hatch in Pembrokeshire, 106. lobatus, Phalavopus, see Phalarope, Red-necked. LockLEy, R. M., Further notes on the breeding-habits of the Manx Shearwater, 202 ; Noteon Black Redstarts in Pembroke- shire, 106. London, Birds of Inner, 323 ; Birds at Reservoirs in the London District, 354. Low, Dr. G. CARMICHAEL, Note on Goosander in Buckinghamshire, 22s MAcPHERSON, A. HoLte, Birds of Inner London, 323; Birds at Reservoirs in the London District during the winter, 1930-31, 354; Note on Great Skua in Middlesex, 299. Magpie and Herons nesting in same tree, 84; Recovery of marked, 179. major, Dryobates m., see Wood- pecker, Northern Great Spotted. Matcorm, Lt.-Cor. G. H., Note on Hoopoe in Argyllshire, 52. Mallard, Recovery of marked, 187 ; Pair breeding in Lincoln’s Inn, 324. MAPLETON-BREE, H. W., Note on Blackcap wintering in Warwickshire, 338. INDEX. mayrila, Nyroca, see Duck, Scaup-. marinus, Larus, see Gull, Great Black-backed. maritima, Calidvis, see Sandpiper, Purple. Marked Birds—Ringed in Iceland and recovered in the British Isles, 70; Marked Abroad and Recovered in British Isles, 357. Marked Birds, Recovery of, 179, 213; Corrections to, 32, 261, 301. Marking Scheme, The ‘‘ British Birds,’’ Progress for 1930, 234. Martin, House-, Westward migia- tion of, in North Kent in autumn, 28; Killed by Moor- hens, 168; Recovery of marked, 185. ——, Sand-, Recovery of marked, 185; at Scilly Isles, 209. Masson, P. W., Night soaring of Swifts, 48. McKerrow, M., Note on Wood- Sandpiper in Cumberland, 83. MEFson, P. M., Notes on Garganey breeding in Somersetshire, 54 ; Breeding of the Spotted Crake in Somersetshire, 56 ; Breeding status of Garganey in Essex, 108, megarhyncha, Luscinia m., see Nightingale, MEIKLEJOHN, A. P., Note on Spotted Crake shire, 56. melanoleuca, Tringa, see Yellow- shank, Greater. melba, Apus, see Swift, Alpine. melophilus, Evithacus y., see Robin. merganser, Mergus m., see Goos- ander. Merganser, Hooded, Recorded as seen in Menai Straits, 26. , Red-breasted, in Dumfries- in Hertford- shire, 165; in Hertfordshire, 259; in Middlesex, 341; Marked in Iceland and re- covered in Scotland, 359. merula, Turdus m., see Blackbird. MIcHOLts, Mrs. D., Note on a pair of Wagtails rearing two Cuckoos in one season, 126. Migration. The Spring Migration, 1930, at the Cambridge Sewage Farm, 145. MILLAIS, JOHN GUILLE, Obituarial Notice of, 362. B35 Mitts, E. H., Note on Black- necked Grebe in S. Wales, 373. milvus, Milvus m., see Kite. minor, Chordeiles m., see Nightjar, American. minuta, Calidris, see Stint, Little. minutus, Ixobrychus m.,see Bittern, Little. , Larus, see Gull, Little. Morrat, C. B., A Pied Wagtail Roost in Dublin, 364. mollissima, Somateria m., see Eider. montanus, Passer m., see Sparrow, Tree-. Moore, JoHN, Note on Swallow in Cheshire in December, 30. Moorhen, Killing House-Martin, 168; Incubation- and Fledg- ing-periods, 218; Recovery of marked, 361. morinellus, Charadrius, see Dotterel. Murray, CApTain D. K. WOLFE, A North Sea Bird Log, 114. MUSSELWHITE, D. W., Notes on Great Titmouse laying a second clutch before departure of first brood, 75; Disposal of addled eggs by Tits, 220. nebularia, Tringa, see Greenshank. nesa, Pyrrhula p., see Bullfinch. Nestlings caught in nest-lining, 103, 125. New British Birds and Alterations to the British List, 22. newtoni, Parus m., see Titmouse, Great. NicHotson, E. M., Note on Haw- finches in Inner London, 74. , , and NICHOLSON, B. D., An _ Ornithological Transect of the North Atlantic, 266. niger, Chlidonias Black. Nightingale, on migration in Norfolk, 192 : Incubation- and Fledging-periods, 218. Nightjar, Further note on double brooding of, 130; in Shetland —— n., see Tern, Isles, 339. ——, American, Alteration of name of, 24. nigva, Oidemia n., see Scoter, Common. nigvicollis, Podiceps n., see Grebe, Black-necked. nisoria, Sylvia, see Warbler, Barred. 386 nisus, £ i . 4 d r ‘ B s ; ae: . ‘ 424 P - t . ee & F “eK ‘ t ' J 5 . why ’ ' . ’ \ ' tae » r i “7 . ' < : . ‘ berate . j . Ey ~ i+ x > FTE