Z5 ~7l BRITISH BIRDS With which was Incorporated in January, 1917, "The Zoologist. AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY TO THE BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST EDITORS E. M. Nicholson and W. B. Alexander - A. W. Boyd P. A. D. Hollom - N. F. Ticehurst J. D. Wood Volume XLIV H. F. & G. WITHERBY LTD. 5 Warwick Court • London • W.C.l LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Plate I Brambling {Fringilla montifringilla): Mali: and female at NEST, Dovrefjeld, Norway, SUMMER, 1950. {Photographed by M. D. England) facing Plate 2 Brambling [Pringilla montifringilla) : F'emale at nest, Dov'Refjelu, Norway, summer, 1950- {Photographed by M. D. England) Plate 3 Brambling {Fringilla montifringilla): Male feeding young, Dovrefjeld, Norway, summer, 1950. {Photographed by M. D. England) Plate 4 Brambling {Fringilla montifringilla): Female at nest, Dovrefjeld, Norway, summer, 1950. {Photographed by M. D. England) Plate 5 Brambling {Fringilla montifringilla): Male and female at nest, Dovrefjeld, Norway, summer, 1950. {Photographed by M. D. England) ... Plate 6 Brambling {Fringilla montifringilla): Male feeding female on nest, Dovrefjeld, Norway, sum.mer, 1950. {Photo- graphed by M. D. England) Plate 7 Brambling {Fringilla montifringilla): Male and female at NEST, Dovrefjeld, Norway, sum.mer, 1950. {Photo- graphed by M. D. England) Plate 8 Snowy Owl {Nyctea scandiaca). In flight above ship (upper) and resting on board (lower) in North Atlantic, March, 1950. {Photographed by C. C. Doncaster) facing Plate 9 Sheld-Ducks {Tadorna tadorna) at sunset, beginning their evolutions before migrating from Morecambe Bay. {Photographed by R. A. H. Coombes) ... ... facing Plate 10 Sheld-Ducks {Tadorna tadorna) migrating an hour before sunset. Note the goose-like silhouette. {Photographed by R. A. H. Coombes) Plate II Migrant Sheld-Ducks {Tadorna tadorna) over Morecambe Bay, seen against the night sky at 22.00. {Photographed by R. .A. II. Coombes) Plate 12 Pintail (Aiia.s- acuta): (Upper) Nest and eggs, Norfolk, 1950. (Lower) The same nest showing down pulled over THE EGGS BY THE DucK ON LEAVING. {Photographed by J. G. Warner) facing Plate 13 “Faeroe" Snipe {Capella gallinago “faerocensis”) nesting in BIRCH shrub, Thingvellir, S. W. Iceland, June, 1949- {Photographed by G. K. Yeates) facing Plate 14 Rose.ate Tern {Sterna dougallii). Perching in tree mallow AT AN Irish colony, 1950. {Photographed by A. G. Mason) ... Plate 13 “Fhjroe” Snipe {Capella gallinago "fccroensis”) nesting in AT AN Irish colony, 1950. {Photographed by A. G. Mason) ... Plate 16 Common Tern {Sterna hirundo). Perching on power cable, Teesmouth, July 2ist, 1950. {Photographed by D. R. Seaward) facing Plate 17 Aggressive display of Corn-Crake {Crex crex). First posture. Commencement of "crake” with wings half open. {Photographed by A. G. Mason) ... ... ... Plate 18 Aggressive display of Corn-Crake {Crex crex). First posture. "Craking” with wings half open. {Photo- graphed by A. G. Ma.son) PAGE 20 O I 92 93 128 129 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Plate 19 Aggressive display of Corn-Crake (Crex crex). First POSTURE. Rear view of “craking” with wings half open. Note upper mandible. {Photographed by A. G. Mason) Plate 20 Aggressive display of Corn-Crake {Crex crex). Second POSTURE. {Photographed by A. G. Mason) Plate 21 Aggressive display of Corn-Crake {Crex crex). Second POSTURE. Note primaries touching beyond tail. {Photo- graphed by A. G. Mason) Plate 22 Aggressive display of Corn-Crake {Crex crex). Third posture. The lunge forward. {Photographed by A. G. Mason) ... ... ... ... ... ... Plate 23 Aggressive display of Corn-Crake {Crex crex). Third POSTURE. The lunge forward. {Photographed by A. G. Mason) ... ... ... ... Plate 24 Aggressive display of Corn-Crake (Crex crex). Resting on TARSI WITH half-open WINGS. {Photographed by A. G. Mason) facing Plate 25 Great Reed-Warbler {Acrocephalus arundinaceus). {Photo- graphed by G. R. Mountfort). Reed-Warbler {Acrocephalus scirpaceus). {Photographed by Ernest My turn) ... ... facing Plate 26 Great Reed-Warbler {Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Camargue, June, 1947. {Photographed by Walter E. Higham) ... Plate 27 Great Reed-Warbler {Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Camargue, June, 1947. {Photographed by Walter E. Higham) Plate 28 Great Reed-Warbler {Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Camargue, June, 1947. {Photographed by G. K. Yeates) Plate 29 Great Reed-Warbler {Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Camargue, June, 1947. {Photographed by G. K. Yeates) ... Plate 30 Nest of Avocet {Recurvirostre avosetta), Minsmere, Suffolk, 1947. {Photographed by R. D. Powell) ... Plate 31 Nest of Woodcock {Scolopax rusticola). {Photographed by Commander A. P. W. Robertson) ... Plate 32 Upper; Domed nest of Wood-Lark {Lullula arborea). {Photographed by B. S. Gorringe) ... Lower: Oyster-Catcher {Hcematopus ostralegus) attempting to brood six eggs. {Photographed by Guy L. Ackers) facing Frontispiece. Isabelline Shrike {Lanius isabellinus). Isle of May, September 26th, 1950 facing Plate 33 Grey Phalarope {Phalaropus fulicarius). Adult at nest. {Photographed by J. P. Strijbos) ... ... ... facing Plate 34 Grey Phalarope {Phalaropus fulicarius). Adult at nest. {Photographed by J. P. Strijbos) ... Plate 35 Grey Phalarope {Phalaropus ftdicarius). Adult leaving nest. Duck Isles, W. Greenland, July 6th, 1950. {Photo- graphed by C. T. Dalgety) ... Plate 36 Grey Phalarope {Phalaropus fulicarius). Winter plumage. Lower Cuckmere, Sussex, September 23RD, 1950. {Photo- graphed by C. G. des Forges) Plate 37 Red-necked Phalarope {Phalaropus lobatus). Adult in WINTER plumage, Holland, SEPTEMBER, lO.IS- {Photographed by F. P. J. Kooymans) ... ... ••• ••• ••• page 165 196 197 217 236 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Plate 38 Gkey Phalakope {Phalaropus julicarius). Winter plumage. Lower Cuckmere, Sussex, September 23RD, 1950. (Photo- graphed by C. G. des Forges) ... Plate 39 Grey Phalakope (Phalaropus julicarius). Winter plumage. Upper: At the Wicks, Kent, September 9TH, 1950. (Photo- graphed by Peter Philpot). Lower: .^t Lower Cuckmere, Sussex, September 23RD, 1950. (Photographed by C. G. des Forges) ... ... Plate 40 Grey Phalakope (Phalaropus julicarius). Upper: Winter PLUM.AGE, St. Mary's Bay Saltings, N. Kent, January 23RD, 1949. (Photographed by C. B. .A-shby). Lower: Nest and eggs, Mouette Isles, Liefde Bay, Spitsbergen, July, 2nd, 1930. (Photographed by C. T. Dalgety) jacing Plate 41 RuRf (Philomachus pugnax). Male, Thorney, Sussex, Septe.mber 17TH, 1950. (Photographed by C. G. des Forges) jacing Plate 42 Ruff (Philomachus pugnax). Male, Thorney, Sussex, September 17TH, 1950. (Photographed by C. G. des Forges) Plate 43 Upper: Reeve visiting a “Tilting ground" on which males ARE displaying, HOLLAND, ApRTL, I95O. LoWER : RuFFS preparing for display, Holland, April, 1950. (Photographed by S. Bayliss Smith) ... Plate 44 Ruff (Philomachus pugnax). Upper: Male in winter PLUMAGE adopting THREAT DISPLAY. TaKEN IN THE ZoO, London. (Photographed by H. N. Southern) Lower: Ruffs displaying on “Tilting ground”, Holland, .'\pRiL, 1950. (Photographed by S. Bayliss Smith) ... jacing Plate 45 Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica). Upper: Male near nest. Near Mutenia, North Finland, June, 24TH, 1950. Lower : .^dult, probably male, at nest feeding young, Near Mutenia, North Finland, June 24TH, 1950. (Photo- graphed by Arthur Christiansen) jacing Plate 46 Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica). Female at nest, Swedish Lapland. (Photographed by P. O. Swanberg) Plate 47 Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica). Nest and eggs. (Photo- graphed by P. O. Swanberg) Plate 48 Pine-Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator). Upper: Male near nest. Lake Sysjarvi, North Finland, July 6th, 1950. Lower: Female on nest. Lake Sysjarvi, North Finland, July 6th, 1950. (Photographed by Arthur Christiansen) Plate 49 Pine-Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator). Male and female (nearer camera) feeding young, Muddus National Park, Sweden, June 19T11, 1945. (Photographed by Viking Olsson) Plate 50 Ivory-Gull (Pagophila eburnea). First winter plumage, Lerwick, Shetland, December 17TH, 19150. (Photographed by G. W. Tulloch) ... ... ... ... ... Plate 51 Ivory-Gull (Pagophila eburnea). First winter plumage, Lerwick, Shetland, December 17TH, 1950. (Photographed by G. W. Tulloch) Plate 52 .Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Adult with abnormal bill, Retford, Notts, 1937. (Photographed by John Warham) jacing S3 Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) in flight. (Photographed by C. E. Palmar) iLing PAGE 237 272 273 344 345 376 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Plate 54 Whooper Swans {Cygnus cygnus) on migration in Strath Spey. {Photographed by G. K. Yeates) ... Plate 55 Whooper Swan {Cygnus cygnus) in winter with two Mute Swans (C. olor). {Photographed by C. E. Palmar) ... Plate 56 Whooper Swans {Cygnus cygnus) on breeding ground, N. Iceland, June, 1948. {Photographed by G. K. Yeates) ... Plate 57 Whooper Swan {Cygnus cygnus) at nest with 24-HOUR old CYGNETS, North Iceland, June, 1948. {Photographed by T. B. W. Jeans) Plate 58 Upper: Whooper Swan "false-brooding”, N. Iceland, June, 1948. {Photographed by G. K. Yeates). Lower: Whooper Swan asleep on nest, Scottish Highlands. {Photographed by Seton Gordon) Plate 59 Bewick's Swans {Cygnus bewickii), Richmond Park, Surrey, December, 1948. {Photographed by R. C. Homes) Plate 60 Bewick's Swan {Cygnus bewickii), Surrey, February, 1949. {Photographed by C. G. des Forges) Plate 61 Fulmars {Fulmarus glacialis) crowd to the trawler's side DURING THE GUTTING OF THE FISH. {Photographed by Stephen Marchant) Plate 62 Fulmars {F ulmarus glacialis) beside trawler while fish are BEING GUTTED. ThE TRAWL WARP SHOWS THAT THE FISH- CLEANING GOES ON WHILE THE TRAWL IS DOWN FOR THE NEXT HAUL. {Photographed by R. M. Lockley) Plate 63 Fulmars {Fulmarus glacialis) and Great .Shearwaters {Puffin us gravis) feeding close to the trawler off Rock all. Note the moulting wing-coverts of the Great Shearwater ON THE LEFT, ITS ALMOST COMPLETE WHITE COLLAR AND THE FAINT TRIANGLE OF WHITE ABOVE THE TAIL. {Photographed by R. M. Lockley) Plate 64 Rockall, June 27TH, 1948. The sea is broken for a radius OF FIFTY YARDS ROUND THE ROCK. {Photographed by R. M. Lockley) ... ♦. facing Plate 65 Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetus). Upper: Nest and eggs. Lower: Young just out of eyrie. Scottish Highlands. {Photographed by C. E. Palmar) ... ... ... Plate 66 Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetus) leaving eyrie. Scottish Highlands. {Photographed by C. E. Palmar) ... Plate 67 Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetus) approaching eyrie. Scottish Highlands. {Photographed by C. E. Palmar) Plate 68 Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetus). Scottish Highlands. {Photographed by Eric J. Hosking) Plate 69 Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetus). Scottish Highlands. {Photographed by Dr. Robert Garrick) ... Plate 70 Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetus) shielding young. Scottish Highlands. {Photographed by Seton Gordon) ... Plate 71 Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetus). Scottish Highlands. {Photographed by H. .Auger) page 37; 408 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Plate 72 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus). Scottish Highlands. {Photographed by Walter E. Higham) Plate 73 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus). Scottish Highlands. (Photographed by Walter E. Higham) Plate 74 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus). Pair at nest. Scottish Highlands. (Photographed by Walter E. Higham) Plate 75 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus). Scottish Highlands. (Photographed by Walter E. Higham) Plate 76 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus). Scottish Highlands. (Photographed by Walter E. Higham) -’irf A 9 1 m I BRITISH BIRDS AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY TO THE BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST BRITISH BIRDS EDITED BY J. D. WOOD, B.A., M.B.O.U. Contents of Number i, Vol. XLIV, January, 1951. Page The building of a rookery. By C. M. Ogilvie . . . . . . . . i The breeding-cycle of a pair of Wood-Warblers. By D. J. May and A. Manning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Birds seen in the North Atlantic. By W. R. Philipson and C. C. Don- caster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II Studies of some species rarely photographed. XXIX. The Brambling. Photographed by M. D. England . . . . . . . . . . 14 Notes ; — Coition of Rook on the ground (P. Place ; R. G. Pettitt) . . . . 14 Rubber in castings of Rook and Magpie (D. H. Trapnell) . . . . 15 Chirruping note of Jay (M. J. Dawson) . . . . . . . . 15 Song- and display-flights in the Linnet (R. S. R. Fitter and R. A. Richardson ; M. Summers-Smith) . . . . . . . . . . i6 ' Chaffinch nesting on the ground (E. L. Roberts) . . . . . . 16 Calling habit of Brambling (W. L. Roseveare) . . . . . . 16 Brambling summering in Lincolnshire (Reg. C. May) . . . . 17 Display of Corn-Bunting (A. E. Vine) . . . . . . . . 17 Yellowhammer singing in flight (John Denny) 18 Snow-Bunting in Warwickshire (J. M. Arnott and M. J. Thomas) . . 18 Robbery of nest-material by House-Sparrow (Dr. C. Sufifern) . . i8 Display of House- Sparrow (K. E. L. Simmons) . . . . . . 18 Wood-Larks in Yorkshire (H. Pease, E. A. Wallis and h. J. Wallis) 19 Display of Grey Wagtail (Dr. G. Beven) . . . . . . . . 19 Aggressive display of Blue Tit (W. T. C. Rankin) 20 Cloaca-pecking by Blue Tit (Geoffrey Boyle) . . . . . . 20 Gait of Bearded Tit (G. B. G. Benson and Dr. P. R. Westall) . . 20 Trapped Masked Shrike “ feigning disablement ” (K. E. L. Simmons, LL Col. H. G. Brownlow, J. W. Godeck) . . . . . . . . 21 Goldcrest using same nest twice in one .season (G. W. H. Moule) . . 21 " Anting ” of Song-Thrush (T. P. Wells ; R. S. R. Fitter and R. A. Richardson) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Display of Blackbird (D. R. Edgecombe ; Rev. E. A. and Mrs. E. J. Armstrong) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Behaviour of Robin in presence of adder (Dr. G. Beven) . . . . 23 -Mpine Swift in Dorset (G. Bernard Gooch) 23 Roosting of Hoopoes (R. W. Crowe and Lt.-Col. H. G. Brownlow). . 23 Status of Green Woodpecker in Northern England (G. W. Temperlev; Abnormal clutch of Merlin’s eggs (Hubert E. Pounds) . . ! . 27 Autumn behaviour of Kestrels (D. Leaver) 27 Shoveler breeding in Middlesex (C. A. White) a8 Red-crested Pochards in Suffolk and Northumberland (Dr. P. R. Westall ; R. G. Grey, K. N. Green and W. R. Lofthouse) . . 29 Common Scoter diving direct from flight (W. T. C. Rankin) . . 29 Velvet Scoter in Somerset (E. G. Richards) 29 Black-throated Divers in Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Berk- shire (A. W. Cundall, P. Evans, J. Sears ; C. C. Balch) . . . . 30 Bar-tailed Godwit swimming (R. H. Brown) 30 BRITISH BIRDS Number i, Vol. XLIV, January, 1951. THE BUILDING OF A ROOKERY. BY C. M. Ogilvie Observations on Rook {Corvus fntgilegus) behaviour during tlie incubation period and in winter have been recorded in previous issues of British Birds {antea, vol. xl, pp. 135-139, and xlii, pp. 65-68). Ihe notes which follow are based on a study of the same rookery in the period March Sth-ipth, 194^. Particular attention was paid to building activity, but other behaviour of a signihcant or unusual nature was also noted. On March 8th three nests still remained from the previous season and one new nest was nearly completed. On March 19th fifteen nests were present and additions had been made to the three old nests. LTntil March i6th the Rooks joined in an evening migration to a communal roost. From that date, when thirteen nests were present, some birds at least remained at the rookery each night. An attempt was made to determine the origin, nature, and fate of nesting material added during the period of observation. F"or this purpose, details of 185 individual nest additions were recorded ; it was not, of course, always possible to note the source of the material added. The origin oe nesting material Brown grass or leafy matter was gathered from an adjacent field and added to the nests on twenty occasions, most of it on the last day of the period (March 19th). The nesting material other- wise consisted of sticks ranging from a few inches to a length greater than that of the Rook itself. Of these sticks, at least one half was derived from trees or nests within the rookery. Stick thieving The thieving of sticks from the nests of other birds was a regular- practice during the period of observation. Each of the nesting pairs was at some time both the author and the victim of thieving attacks, and Rooks from a neighbouring colony also took toll of the nests. Sticks were stolen only during the absence of the occupying pair except on two occasions when the owner of an established nest robbed a Rook which had started to build near by. The thief was sometimes surprised at the nest and driven away by the returning owner, and on one occasion the stolen sticks were retrieved from the intruder. The thief was not otherwise attacked by other members of the rookery except when there was competition for the sticks. ” Epidemics ” of thieving occasionally developed and three of these were observed in detail (of 5, 15, and 30 minutes’ duration >> BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. respectively). In each case the epidemic broke out when several nests were unattended, and involved many of the birds still remaining in the rookery. In contrast to the silent stealth of the lone thief, there were the direct and destructive tactics of the smash-and-grab raid with much falling-out among thieves. A single Rook pilfering an unguarded nest would be joined by an unruly and impatient queue of four or five birds each awaiting a turn at the sticks. These Rooks bickered among themselves with much cawing and flapping of wings and those who approached the sticks were repelled by the thief in occupation or fought with him on the nest. More than one of the unoccupied nests was usually robbed. Pilfering raids by birds from another colony (about 300 yards away) were recorded on si.x occasions. In four instances, single Rooks came over and took part in the thieving epidemics. On the other two occasions birds from this colony raided the rookery while it was temporarily deserted (on one morning a steady stream of birds flew over for a period of about two hours ; many sticks were stolen, the majority from one nest). Infective behaviour in colonial birds, although valuable in many aspects of their life, may thus intensify and extend an activity which is unfavourable to the colony. For not only may structural damage be done to the nest, especially during the “ epidemics,” but there is often signiiicant loss of nesting material. During a total of g hours observation of one nest, 72 sticks (10 from other nests) were added by the nesting pair and 19 sticks were stolen by thieves. One nest thus sustained a loss of over one quarter of the material added during a period almost ecpiivalent to a " working day.” At an adjacent nest, 40 sticks were added in about 6 hours and only one was lost during the same period. Of these 40 sticks, however, fourteen were pilfered from other nests. The building of the nest The Handbook states that : '' The male Rook provides most of the material, the hen arranging.” In loi observations during the present study the Rook which provided the material also arranged it in the nest. On only seventeen occasions was it assisted by its mate and in only four instances was the material actually presented to the mate at the nest. The bird not engaged in gathering material was usually present when the material was brought to the nest by the other, but, as noted above, only rarely assisted in the arrangement of the material. This bird sometimes adjusted the nest during the absence of its mate, and I observed on twenty-one occasions that it actually gathered material itself (grass from a field near by and sticks from the branches near the nest or from other nests). More commonly, however, it remained inactive beside the nest (seventeen sticks were added by one bird in forty minutes ; the other stood motionless beside the nest throughout this period). VOL. XLiv.] THE BUILDING OF A ROOKERY. 3 My observations therefore suggest that either member of the pair may provide and arrange the material but that while one is performing both these duties, the other often remains by the nest and plays only an occasional part in either duty. The value of the latter role may well lie in the protection of the nest from the stick thief. Territorial defence The nesting pair — both birds together or one alone — repelled all Rooks approaching their nest. The proximity of three nests led to brief but frequent scuffles in which both birds of each pair took part. Noisy groups of unmated birds were often flown at by the nesting pairs or by the male bird alone. On three occasions, a Rook robbing a nest was driven away by the owner of an adjacent nest ; in each case the latter bird immediately stole a twig from the nest which he had appeared to defend. One nesting bird flew to another tree and drove off a Rook which was breaking a twig from the branches. A nest unattended for more than a few minutes invariably fell victim to a stick thief, but the presence of the owner was proof against pilfering attempts. Courtship, display and other behaviour Mutual preening was recorded on a number of occasions and, as I have noted previously (c/. antea, vol. xlii, p. 67) preening was confined to the feathers of the head parts. Two Rooks indulging in this practice were once interrupted by a third bird carr5dng a stick ; the last flew off with one of the preening birds and these two— presumably a pair— settled together on a nest where the stick was laid. That mutual preening is not confined to mated pairs was also noted by Carpenter (1933) who reported it among pigeon chicks and segregated females. A pair of Rooks stood together on the nest on three occasions and passed sticks to each other. Once there was a tug-of-war over a large stick, and, on another occasion, the passing of sticks was accompanied by a guttural purring note. The same pair also joined in a mock-feeding ceremony : both birds gave brief bows, each alternating with a movement suggesting the taking of food from the nest. Feeding of the hen bird by the cock was not observed until March 17th, when the hen at the most advanced nest began to sit (the communal roost was first deserted on the previous evening). Except occasionally as a symbol of courtship, ritual feeding does not occur in the building phase proper but indicates the approach of incubation when feeding of the sitting hen is of purposive significance. At one nest, where building was well advanced on March 17th, the hen solicited her mate with great persistence. This behaviour was observed at frequent intervals on March 17th and i8th. The hen, following the cock about the branches, raised and fluttered her half-opened wings and at each quiver of the wing she gave a whining call peculiar to this " hunger display ” — a rather 4 BRITISH BIRDS. fVOL. XLIV. high pitched bleating note of a plaintive quality. The cock, unable or un^villing to satisfy the needs of his mate, indulged in a vigorous display of bill-wiping, and, on occasions, fondled her beak for a few moments. After several minutes of fruitless soliciting, the hen once joined another pair as they flew from the nest, and circled about the rookery in their company. In the following year I saw a hen bird beg food from a male Rook on each of his visits to his own mate at an adjacent nest. This persistent soliciting is a characteristic feature of the period shortly preceding incubation (and after the onset of incubation if the cock is insufiiciently attentive). The hen, ready to sit, begs for food and the cock — perhaps still engaged in gathering material for the nest — has not yet attained that internal state which is to govern his behaviour in subse(|uent weeks : he is not in fact ready to fulfil his dut}^ in the ritual of feeding the hen. With their internal conditions thus at variar.ce, the birds may resort to such “ displacement ” activities as I have described above. L.\te building activity On March 26th-27th, 1949, I made a further study at this rookery with the object of confirming my work of the previous year and comparing it with these observations at a later stage of building activity. Ten nests w'ere occupied, but my attention was directed mainly toward the two nests at which building was still in progress. In a period of 4^ hours, thirty-eight additions w'ere made to these two nests — fifteen sticks and tw^enty-three portions of grass or leaves. Of these thirty-eight additions, no less than twenty-four were stolen (in the absence of the one pair, the other frequently robbed their nest). On thirty-tw'o occasions, the Rook which fetched the material w'orked it into the nest without assistance from the other bird. The other si.x sticks w^ere pa.ssed to the hen at the nest, twice with a formal ceremony which closely ressembled the ritual of feeding ; coition on the nest follow^ed on one of these occasions. On April 30th, 1950, 1 was again able to confirm my previous observations on the prevalence of stick thieving and the sharing of building duties. Most of the nests contained young, but three were still being built. Twenty sticks were added by one pair in four hours and, during their absence, ten w^ere stolen by a Rook from another nest. This bird stole a further three sticks from the third unfinished nest in the face of intense opposition from the occupying pair. It approached this nest with fluttering wings and solicitous calls — as though begging for food — and then pulled a stick from under the feet of its enraged victims. This Rook, whose mate was not observed, collected fourteen sticks during this period and thirteen of these were stolen from other nests. I he fact that either sex may collect and arrange nesting material was confirmed by the behaviour of the first pair, each of which brought ten sticks to the nest and arranged them in the presence of. VOL. XLiv.] THE BUILDING OF A ROOKERY. 5 but unaided by, the other. On one occasion, the cock fed the hen on the nest and then proceeded to arrange the sticks ; after two minutes, the hen took over from him and during the subsequent eight minutes a further four exchanges occurred, eacli bird taking its turn in the adjustment of the nest. Summary The building of a rookery was observed between March 8th and 19th, 1948, and further notes were made at the end of March, 1949, and in April, 1950. Details of 257 nest additions were recorded. At least half the material was gathered within the rookery and a significant proportion was stolen from other nests. The manner of thieving is described and its extent emphasized. The division of duties between the sexes is discussed. The bird which gathered the material was also responsible for arranging it in the nest in the great majority of occasions, while the other was more often standing guard at the nest than attending to its construction. The presentation of food and of nesting material may occur as symbols of male courtship, but whereas the feeding of the hen becomes an essential and purposive act during incubation, the presentation of sticks plays little part in the construction of the nest. Incidents of territorial defence and of courtship behaviour are described. The hunger-display of the hen is noted as a conspicuous feature of the period between active building and close incubation when there may be disparity in the internal states of the two sexes ; later, when the hen sits closely, ritual feeding by the cock fulfils her needs and harmony is achieved. REFERENCES. Carpenter, C. R. (1933). J. Comp. Psychol., vol. i6, pp. 25-90. Ogilvie,-C. M. (1947). British Birds, \ol. xl, pp. 135-139. Ogilvie, C. M. (1949). Ibid., vol. xlii, pp. 65-68. THE BREEDING CYCLE OF A PAIR OF WOOD-WARBLERS. BY D. J. May and A. Manning In May, 1947, a pair of Wood-Warblers (Phylloscopns sibilairix) arrived in an area of Englefield Green, Surrey, where a pair had nested in at least the previous year. The 194b pair is referred to in BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XI-IV. () May's “Studies on a Community of Willow-Warblers (Phylloscopus trochihis) ” (1949) in the same area, where it is observed that their territory was ecologically distinct from that of the other species. The greater area of Englefield Green is a gorse and bramble common with small birches, which area is completely occupied by Willow- Warblers ; but there is one small area of tall beeches with no secon- dary growth. This was the only area occupied by the Wood-Warblers (although in 1947 a corner of the territory of another pair did extend to a part of the Green characterized by high birches and little secondary growth). This short paper is divided into two sections : Observation and Discussion. The former contains, in modified diary form, our (often independent) observations on the pair through the breeding cycle. The latter attempts briefly to draw some conclusions from the field observations, and serves to amplify some similar points noted in the closely related Willow- Warbler and discussed in the other paper. Most observations are, however, left to speak for themselves : we have not attempted any undue generalization. Observations May 4th. A male Wood-Warbler arrived on the Green today. In the afternoon he was singing strongly (c.6 times per minute) with both forms of song, the sibilant trill and the liquid “ puu-puu- puu . . .” As is usual, the former was more frequent, being used approximately ten times for every one phrase of the other, although there was no regularity about the order. The commoner song was heard from the bird both perching and in flight ; in the latter cases it was sometimes commenced before the bird took wing, sometimes in flight, but the prelude of shorter notes (“ sip . . . sip . . . sip ”) was invariably protracted until the bird had settled again on another tree. On occasions this prelude was not completed, and the shattering cascade that normally concludes the song was omitted. In the song-flight the vibrating wings never came below the horizontal, thus giving an impression of “ slow motion ” ; while they were shivered rapidly by the perching bird at the trilling climax. The less frequent and more melodious song was invariably uttered by the bird whilst perching : occasionally it began with the opening notes of the other. The bird kept to a small and well-defined area (see above), a little over an acre in extent though, of course, it had no sharply defined limits. May ^th. The male definitely still alone, singing somewhat less, and heard for the first time using the call note “ puu,” winch is not so clear and sweet, but of the same pitch, as the note used in the second song. May 6th. In the evening a female, which presumably arrived the previous night, was found feeding quietly near the male in the tops of the beeches in his territory. The male sang once or twice, but not VOL. xLiv ] BREEDING OF WOOD-WARBLERS 7 nearly so much as before and, although the two birds were constantly together, he paid no particular attention to her. May yth. Early in the morning both were calling “ puu ” to some extent and a chase between the two birds was seen twice. The male apparently chased the female, since the more severe of the two chases culminated in a hght on the ground with the male jumping at, and apparently almost on, the female. The female was also obviously hunting for nest-sites. Several times she flew down from the trees to explore little clumps of grass and bracken. The male’s song was still casual, and composed mainly of snatches — the opening notes of the trill rather than the whole song. In the evening the birds were silent and could not be traced in the course of a short search. May 8th. In both morning and evening the behaviour of the pair was almost identical with that of yesterday. One spot that the female had been seen visiting on both days, was considered a likely choice for the eventual nest-site. May gth. In the early morning the female, as we had expected, was building. The nest-site was not that which we had anticipated, but a similar site on dead, crushed bracken and turfed grass nearer the centre of the territory. The bird collected leaves, and some bracken and grass, chiefly from two spots within 50 feet of the nest, which she visited exactly 30 times in 20 minutes. She spent an average of 5-6 seconds at the nest itself, and took an average of over 30 seconds to collect each item of material. When pulling up grass or bracken she would lean right back, sometimes gaining more leverage by flapping her wings ; she would then take the material straight to the nest, with no pause between visits, occasion- ally alighting on a birch tree above the nest before dropping down to it. Only once did the male show any interest : on this occasion he went down to the nest just after his mate and watched her building from a point about a foot above it, but as she came out he flew off. Otherwise he was moving around his territory without coming particularly near lier or the nest, and singing longer phrases than on the past day or two. In the evening, when we examined the nest more closely and commented upon its perfect camouflage, the birds were not at first to be seen but shortly appeared through the trees together calling " puu ”. May 10th. Behaviour much as yesterday : the rate of building by the female was perhaps a little slower. May 11th. Early in the morning the female was building a little. After a sliort while the male, who had hitherto been silent, flew into the tree above the nest and she joined him, but they parted again. The female then began calling “ puu ” consistently, and the male made long, sweeping flights round the territory. Once they met on the same tree, whereupon the female half opened and drooped her 8 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOI,. XI. IV. wings ; while she shivered them lier neck was stretched forward and her tail somewhat lifted, obviously the invitatory posture. There was no response from the male and the behaviour reverted to that preceding the display. A little later the female assumed a similar posture again (as before, unaccompanied Ity any call, although she had been calling ])reviously) ; this time the male mounted and held himself above her by hovering with fluttering wings. Coition was followed by a very long and vigorous chase ol the female by the male, which was only broken up by the inter- vention of a Willow-Warbler. The latter’s aggressive reaction (chasing) was presumably elicited by the sight of the two Wood- Warblers flashing through his territory. xA. short while afterwards the female postured in the same manner for a third time. On this occasion the male, who was near by, shivered his wings and moved towards her, but she flew off. After this bout of display the male sang considerably and made long, sweeping song-flights romid the whole of the territory. The female recommenced building and the birds took little more interest in one another for some time. Several hours later the birds were behaving similarly until, followed by the male, the female flew on to the ground and postured as before. The male mounted and coition again took place. There was no subseciuent chase, bnt the female was followed by the male for some while before she went to the nest and stayed there for seven minutes, much longer than observed up to date. Thereafter the birds began feeding again. May izili, ij/A and 14///. No noticeable activity, 'fhe female was obviously still building on the 12th, as there was some advancement in the state of the nest, but thereafter it did not seem to alter at all, and she could not be traced, fhe male sang occasionally on the 13th and 14th some way outside his previous limits. May The first egg in the nest, probably laid in the early morning. In the evening both of the pair were in a tree some way from the nest, the male calling with a peculiarly shrill and pene- trating “ see-see-.see ...” whilst shivering his wings and turning his head from side fo side, though with his back to the female who was several yards away. I'he female ignored him ; several times she cidled ‘‘ pun,” apparently disturbed by the observer’s presence. May ibth-zoth. Very little activity by either bird during this period, in which an egg was laid daily, the clutch of six being completed and incubation begun on the 20th. The alarm note was heard sometimes when we approached the nest ; song was spasmodic though strong on occasions. May list. In the evening the male was calling ‘‘ pun ” and the female incubating. When, a little later, the female left the nest the male immediately began to sing. May 22nd. The male was in full song this evening. May 3ish The eggs hatched to-day, after days. Our observa- VOL. xLiv.j BREEDING OF WOOD-WARBLERS. 9 tions during the incubation period had been somewhat curtailed, but had revealed, on the whole, very little activity. The male’s burst of song on May 22nd did not last throughout the period. June 10th. The behaviour of the parent birds at the nest (both feeding the young) is now strikingly shy compared with those at another nest in the locality. The latter will descend to their nest with a human only a few yards away whereas the former birds will not come near. This evening we saw the young, but were surprised to hnd only three on the nest. We had not examined the nest closely since the last day of the laying period ; the suggestion is that someone unknown to us removed three eggs during the incubation period. J^tne 12th. The birds left tlie nest (fiedging-period approximately 12 days) and after this date were. not found in the territory again. 1 hey probably moved into private woods nearby. In 1946, however, the male was heard singing in this territory on June 23rd, ten days after the young had left the nest. Discussion Since the area in which this pair of Wood-Warblers bred was isolated and there could be no clash between the occupying and any intruding male, it is difficult to say whether it may legitimately be called a “ territory.” Majc however, has shown that in the Willow- Warbler the male’s hrst reaction when a female enters his territory is to chase her out exactly as if she were a male, and that this form of behaviour may continue for anything up to nine or ten hours after her hrst appearance. In addition, for two or three days afterwards, he may make fleeting attacks on her when, catching a glimpse of her, he mistakes her identity. Thus, while actual pair- formation in this pair of Wood-Warblers was not observed, the occurrence of the chase of the female by the male, on the morning after her -arrival, suggests that behaviour in this species is analogous. It is worth noting that the more severe of the two chases was decidedly fiercer than any such observed in the Willow- Warbler on the second day. The Willow- Warbler’s reaction is of territorial signihcance ; thus it seems to us a reasonable conclusion that a male Wood-Warbler would indeed defend his breeding area from an intruding male precisely as the other species does. The behaviour of the present pair also resembled that of the Willow-Warbler in : (a) the ” companionship ” period between pair- formation and coitional display, and (b) the casual song of the male after pair-formation. For further discussion of the signihcance of the former the reader is referred to the Willow-Warbler paper ; it will suffice to mention here that it seems to be due to a delay in the female’s attaining the condition necessary for coition. Presumably the male Wood- Warbler is, like the Willow-Warbler, sexually valent from the date of his arrival. Ihe dropping-off of song after the female’s arrival is a wide- spread phenomenon {vide, for instance, Burkitt (1919)). In the 10 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV, present instance only one of the two primary functions of bird-song was actually fulfilled : that of signalling to females the presence of an unmated male though, of course, the sole reason wliy it did not (apparently) play its function of warning oft otlier males was tlie fact that no other males attempted to intrude. Incidentally, the arbitrary selection from two song phrases found in tins species pro\ides an interesting and perhaps unique link between the single repeated phrase of the Willow- Warbler and Chaffiich [Fringilla ccelebs), for example, and the “impromptu” selection of phrases from a large repertoire, found pre-eminently in Britain in the Song-Thrush {Turdus ericelorum). Nest-site selection has not been observed in many species, so the above details are of interest. Walmesley White (1931), however, records without any details that the female Wood- Warbler selects the site. The precoitional display observed in this pair was less elaborate than that described in The Handbook ; a point which raises interesting questions. On each of the occasions that coition was observed, the female went into the invitatory posture and the male responded immediately. Obviously, both of the pair were at a high level of sexual intensity that morning. Had the male not been so, a more elaborate display by the female might have occurred ; had the female not been so (provided that she had become sexually valent and that the period of “ companionship ” was over) the male might have gone into the display described in The Handbook. The long and vigorous chase that occurred after the first witnessed coition recalls the following quotation from Lack (1941). He is writing on “ Display immediately after copulation : ” “ Tlierc is yet another tyi)e of sex-display found in a number of species. Immediately following copulation one or both members of the pair *may exhibit characteristic movements . . . (Examples) . . . Presumably such display has no survival value and is simply an example of a strong internal state leading up to more or less random body movements.” 'I'he last six words adequately summarize the characteristics of this chase, a form of this category of “ display ” that Lack does not mention but which is probably fairly regular in many species. The male’s “ long, sweeping-song flights ” were presumably of similar origin. REFERENCES. Burkitt, J. P. (1919). “Song and nesting of birds.” Irish Nat. Vol. -\xviii, ]>p. 97-101. E.\ck, D. (1941). “ Some aspects of instinctive behaviour and display in l>irds.” Ibis, Vol. 84, p]). 407-441. I). J. (1949). “ Studies on a community of Willow-Warblers.” Ibi.s, \ ol. 91 , ]ip. 24-54. W’liiTR, W. VV. {1931). lUrdlijc in Devon. London and Toronto. WiTHEKiJY el al. (1938). The Handbook of Drilish Birds, London. (11) BIRDS SEEN IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC. BY W. R. Philipson and C. C. Doncaster In October, 1949, we sailed from Great Britain to Colombia, South America, returning in March, 1950. Our itinerary October was as follows: — March Livei'pool 6 24 Plymouth . . - 23 La Palice 8 2 2 Santander 7 21 I.a Coruna . . 10 20 Bermuda 17 12-13 Nasau . . 19 TO Havana . . . . 20-2 T 8-9 Kingston 23 6 Cartagena 25 4 Apart from some notes on off-shore birds seen in the Bay of Biscay, the following account refers only to observations made between the coast of Spain and Nasau, in the Bahamas. On October nth, when about 300 miles west of Spain, we passed terns, phalaropes, and skuas. Apart from these species, the only oceanic birds seen on the outward voyage were Cory’s Shearwater and Leach’s Fork-tailed Petrel. On the return voyage the shear- water was still present, and had spread further west, but the petrel was absent ; in addition gulls were encountered in the region of the Azores. Evidence was obtained of a migration route for North American land-birds by way of Bermuda to the West Indies. In October two warblers were seen, respectively 120 and 350 miles south-west of Bermuda. A Grey Plover seen a little to the south of Bermuda in March may also have been on migration. The use of this migration route by small land-birds has been recorded previously by one of us (Philip.son, antea, vol. xxxiii, pp. 245-247). On March i8th, when about 200 miles north-east of the Azores, a Snowy Owl was seen by members of the crew, and was observed by us during the whole of the next day, by which time we were within 200 miles of Spain. We were unable to ascertain whether the owl remained with the ship during the night of March I9th-20th, as before daybreak the ship was close to the coast. Oceanic Species. Leach’s Fork-tailed Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorrhoa). Seen in small numbers on every day from October iith-i5th, the most easterly record being 42°o'N., 18° o' W., and the most westerly 35° 24' N., 51° 31' W. None was seen on the return voyage in March. Cory’s Shearwater {Puffinus kuhlii). October. It is probable that a southward migration was taking place down the coast of Spain as many were seen on October loth, in the neighbourhood of La Coruna. There was a further concentration in sight of Flores on 12 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. October 13th. On the two intervening days small numbers of this shearwater were seen. None was seen on subsequent days. March. On the return voyage our course lay further north so that we did ii(h sight the Azores. Nevertheless, on the two days when we were nearest the islands more Cory’s Shearwaters were seen than on other days ; six were seen on March 17th (noon position 42° 06' N., 33° 41' W.), and three on March i8th (noon position 42° 21' N., 24° 32' W.). During the remainder of the crossing a single bird was .seen on each day from March 14th to 19th, the most westerly being 200 miles east of Bermuda, and the most easterly 350 miles west of La Coruna. On leaving La Coruna on March 20th a small number was seen close to the coast. Red-f.illed Tropic-bird {Phceton cethereus). One seen within sight of Bermuda on March 12th. Grey or Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarhis or P. lobatus). Single birds seen twice on October nth, near 42° 28' N., 15° 13' w. Arctic Tern {Sterna macrura). On October nth at least five terns, presumably of this species, were seen keeping pace with the ship, travelling W.S.W. First seen about 42° 28' N., 15° 13' W. Gull {Larus sp.). On March i6th, when over 300 miles west of Flores, one adult and one to four immature gulls followed the ship during daylight (noon position 39° 52' N., 41° 49' W.). One adult bird was seen on the following morning (noon position 42° 06' N., 33° M' I'lie immature birds had mottled sandy-brown upper parts with a dark band across the end of the tail and dark primaries. The adult had the upper side of the wing and mantle uniform grey, the wing-tips black with small wliite mirrors on the trailing edge, the bill yellow ; and the feet appeared yellowisli or pinkish, but no satisfactory view of them was obtained. This description corre- sponds fairly closely with the Herring-Gull, the almost complete absence of mirrors in the adults perhaps being due to abrasion. Several of the skins of the Azores Herring-Gull {Larus argentahis atlantis) in the British Museum collection show the mirrors worn away almost completely. PoMATORHiNE Skua {Stercorarius pomarinus). One seen on Octo- ber nth at 42° 10' N., 17° o' W. Skuas {Stercorarius spp.). During October nth four skuas were seen v\ hich we could not identif}/. They occurred between 42° 30' N. 14° 45' W. and 42° o' N., 18° o' W. Off-Shore Species. Manx Shearwater {Puffinus puffimis). Many seen in March off La Conma, Santander and La Palice. Gannet {Sula bassana). In small numbers in March off La Coruna and Santander. Yellow-legged Herring-Gull {Larus argentaltis michahellis). Yellow-legged Herring-gulls, presumably of tliis race, were abundant in the harbours at La Coruna and Santander in October and March VOL. XLiv.] BIRDS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC. 13 They were associated with Lesser Black-backed Gulls (L. fuscus) and Black-headed Gulls {L. ridibundus). The race of Herrin;j-Gull at La Palice was Larus argentatus argentahis, where the Great Black-backed Gull (L. mavinus) was also present. Little Gull [Lams minutus). About 50 off La Palice on March 22nd. Kittiwake {Rissa tridactyla). Many off Lands End in October, and present at La Palice and Plymouth in March. Great Skua {Stercorarius sJma). One off La Palice on March 22nd. Razorbill {Alca torda). Small numbers off La Coruna, Sanfander and La Palice. Guillemot {Uria aalge). With the Razorbills, but less frequent. Migrating Land Birds. American side. Blackpoll Warbler {Dendroica hreviunguis). On the night of October 17th, approximately 120 miles south-west of Bermuda, a female of this species was caught on deck. In The Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America, by F. M. Chapman, a map of the migration routes of this warbler is given on p. 42, but none is shown to pass through Bermuda. On the following day another warbler (unidentified) was seen at about 29° 14' N., 70° 30' W. (jREY Plover [Squatarola squatarola). Shortly before we sighted Bermuda, on March 12th, a Grey Plover in winter plumage followed the ship for some minutes. European side. Meadow-pipit {Anthus pratensis). During the night of October gth-ioth, when we were passing along the north coast of Spain, a Meadow-Pipit came on deck. On March 22nd, when we were sailing along the south coast of Brittany, small numbers flew over the ship. At the same time a flight of about thirty Turdidce (probably Song- Thrushes) flew over. Snowy Owl {Nyctea scandiaca). On March i8th, when about 200 miles north-east of the Azores, officers of the ship saw a Snowy Owl (see Plate 8) perched in the rigging and flying round the ship. It remained until the next day, when we were within 200 miles of the Spanish coast, and may have stayed until we reached land early on the following morning. This species is known to have visited the Azores in winter. (14) STUDIES OF SOME SPECIES RARELY PHOTOGRAPHED. XXIX. THE BRAMBLING. Photographed by M. D. England (Plates 1-7). In contrast to many of the species which have figured in this series, the Brambling {Fringilla montifringilla) is a familiar and regular winter visitor to this country, its numbers varying from year to year according to local conditions. There is, however, only one reliable record of its breeding in the British Isles, and comparatively few of our readers will have been able to study the bird at the nest. For this reason alone Mr. England’s delightful studies, taken in the Dovrefjeld, Norway, during the summer of 1950, will be of very great interest. The photographs were taken on the day the chicks hatched, which was the first time that the male ventured near the nest. In Plate 3 he is seen feeding the young and in Plate 6 feeding the female on the nest, the latter being a pictorial record of a habit not actually mentioned in The Handbook, though its occurrence is not, of course, surprising. The nest is in a typical situation in a birch tree and its rather bulky structure, as compared with that of the Chaffinch {F. c celebs), is well shown in Plate 4. Attention may be drawn to a record, published in this issue, of a Brambling summering in Lincolnshire. J.D.W. NOTES. COITION OF ROOK ON THE GROUND. On March 23rd, 1947, I observed a presumed male Rook {Corvus frugilegus) attempting coition on the ground with a presumed female of the same species. The rookery was about 50 yards away. P. Place. On April 4th, 1949, at Little Plumstead, Norfolk, two Rooks were present in a meadow. The male approached the other with its wings extended and pointed downwards, the tail spread and head lowered. The female responded by maintaining a spread position, though not so exaggerated as the male’s. The male moved round her and mounted, coition lasting only several seconds, and then both flew off and continued feeding. R. G. Pettitt. [A further case of coition on the ground has been reported to us by Mr. K. G. Spencer, who saw it on March i8th, 1950, a quarter of a mile from the nearest rookery ; there is also a record in the Report of the Reading Ornithological Club, 1949, p. 7, and we have VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 15 ourselves observed it at least half a mile from the rookery. These and a previous record {antea, vol. xxxviii, p. 133) suggest that coition on the ground at a distance from the rookery may be more frequent than is indicated by the statement in The Handbook (vol. V, Additions and Corrections, p. 256). — -Eds.]. RUBBER IN CASTINGS OE ROOKS AND MAGPIE. The notes {antea, vol. xlii, p. 52 ; xliii, p. 31) on rubber in the castings of Rooks {Corvus frugilegus) and Jackdaws {Corvus monedula) remind me that in the winters of 1939-40 and 1940-41 my friend Mr. R. Butler-Stoney made a large collection of pellets in a Rook roost at Erensham, Surrey. I have a photograph of this collection, which shows that there is a majority of rubber bands among the various pieces ; a large blue one is three inches in length and five smaller bands, all taken from one pellet, were of blue-green colour. Also in the collection were part of the inside of a golf ball, a cycle-tyre puncture patch, thin rubber sheet and a blue label marked “ Made in England.” The pieces were of a variety of colours, blue, green, red, orange and white, in that order of frequency. The stones in these pellets (over 100 were examined) were found to consist of brick, chalk and other materials in the ratio of i : 2 : 7 respectively, thus supporting the late B. W. Tucker’s observation {antea, vol. xlii, p. 53) that red is not necessarily a particularly dominant colour. 537 sizeable stones were found in 100 pellets. Mr. Butler-Stoney has shown me a piece of a broken rubber band, two and a quarter inches in length, which he found in the casting of a Magpie {Pica pica) at Eashing, Surrey, in February, 1941. It would be interesting to know if there are other records of rubber being eaten by Magpies. It would seem justifiable to assert that rubber is eaten by most of the Corvidae. D. H. Trapnell. [Mr. Trapnell has shown us the photograph mentioned in his note, but it was unfortunately not suitable for reproduction in British Birds. — Eds.]. CHIRRUPING NOTE OF JAY. In his notes {antea, vol. xlii, pp. 278-287) on the Jay {Garrulus glandarius) Derek Goodwin mentions the ” chirruping ” note as heard by him only in tame birds. In April, 1949, on a thick, foggy day, I passed a small ivy-covered tree and heard soft twittering and warbling notes coming from it. They resembled those of the Whitethroat {Sylvia communis). When I investigated a Jay flew out. Exactly the same thing happened the next day, the fog still persisting, which enabled me to get very near. Such sounds coming from so noisy a bird as the Jay prompted me to make a note of it. The sound would not have carried more than a few yards even without the fog. M. J. Dawson. [We have submitted this note to Mr. Goodwin who is of opinion that the notes heard by Mr. Dawson were probably a form of sub- song ” uttered when the bird is alone and apparently at ease ” — Eds.]. 16 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. SONG- AND DISLAY-FLIGHTS IN THE LINNET. Reference has already been made in these pages {antea, vol. xl, p. 49 ; vol, xli, p. 343) to actual or possible song-flights in the Linnet {Cardiielis cannabina). That these flights are commoner than might be supposed is suggested by a number of observations made by us in north Norfolk during 1950. On the first occasion, on March 25th, on Salthouse Heath, a Linnet left a tree-top and while singing in the air in the usual way suddenly executed a special movement, with its wings downstretched, rather in the manner of a Redshank's song-flight, but without the latter’s wing-vibrations. There was no doubt about its being a special attitude, and not a casual one, for the song ceased as soon as the attitude was dis- continued. The following day we saw two birds on the edge of Cley Marsh execute exactly the same movement, and one of us (R.A.R.) witnessed it at least a dozen times during the season. On each occasion other Linnets of undetermined sex were present, and twice these were ascertained to be females. R. S. R. Fitter and R. A. Richardson. On May 6th, 1950, I was watching a cock Linnet (Carduelis canna- bina) singing on a telegraph wire at Highclere, N. Hampshire, when a hen flew onto the wire near by. Immediately both birds flew off, and as the hen flew low over a field the cock appeared to be chasing it, flying slightly above and behind, with a peculiar erratic flight, and with an even more undulating and wavering action than is normal in this species. The tail was noticeably depressed, and at intervals the bird would pause and hover with vibrating wings, depressing the tail still further, before starting once more in pursuit of the hen. The latter finally flew into some bushes, where the cock followed it and the birds were lost to sight. The Handbook does not mention any display flight in this species, and descriptions of display flights of the Linnet by L. Rendell and R. S. R. Fitter {antea, vol. xl, p. 49, and vol. xli, p. 343 respectively) are somewhat different from the observation recorded above. M. Summers-Smith. CHAFFINCH NESTING ON GROUND. On June 15th, 1950, my wife and 1 were walking along the bank of a stream in Rutland, when a hen Chaffinch {Fringilla coelebs) suddenly rose out of the grass at our feet. Upon investigation we discovered the nest, containing five eggs on the point of hatching, on the ground in the long grass on the sloping bank of the stream. The Handbook makes no specific mention of this species nesting on the ground. E. L. Roberts. CALLING HABIT OF BRAMBLING. In June, 1947, many Bramblings (Fringilla montifringilla) were observed during a stay of several days in a pine forest in Norway, at 3,000 ft., between 60° and 6i°N. My attention was usually attracted by the male’s loud and plaintive " dwee ” call, and the. VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 17 bird was nearly always found to be perched on the extreme tip of a pine tree. This rather striking habit is not mentioned in The Handbook. W. L. Roseveare. BRAMBLING SUMMERING IN LINCOLNSHIRE. On May 31st, 1950, I was surprised to see a male Brambling {Fringilla montifringilla) in the woods at Great Limber, Lincolnshire. I had an excellent view of the bird as it perched on the top branch of an oak, where it called persistently, throwing its head back as it did so. The note was very much like the prolonged “ dwee ” caU of the Greenhnch {Chloris Moris) . During the next four days the bird called regularly in this way, its favourite perches being dead twigs at the tops of two diseased elms. On June 5th I found that it had moved to another area about a quarter of a mile away, where I soon realized that it was interested in a pair of Chaffinches [F. coelebs) which were building in an elm. On several occasions on this and the next two days herce hghts took place between the Brambling and the male Chaffinch ; on June 7th they fluttered almost to the ground, locked together, within arm’s length of me. On June 5th I saw what appeared to be a display flight when the Brambling flew towards the female Chaffinch with shivering wing-beats reminiscent of the song-flight of the Wood-Warbler [Phylloscopus sibilatrix). On June 9th I saw the bird about 100 yards away attacking another male Chaffinch, but on June loth it was back in the area of the first pair. It seemed gradually to lose interest in the Chaffinches, but remained in the area calling persistently ; I last heard it on July 5th, after which I lost sight of it. I heard a Brambling’s flight call on August 4th and saw a bird with a party of Chaffinches less than half a mile from where I first saw it ; I feel fairly certain that this must have been the same individual. Reg. C. May. DISPLAY OF CORN-BUNTING. On March 28th, 1949, I watched a display, differing in some particulars from that described in The Handbook, by two birds amongst a party of ten Corn-Buntings {Emberiza calandra) sitting on telegraph wires. One male was singing at the rate of 16-18 times per minute, with a maximum rate of occasionally about 20 times, compared with the normal rate of 6-8 times a minute. At intervals it indulged in wing-lifting to the maximum extent, followed by stretching out its wings slightly, together or alternately, shivering or fluttering them sometimes ; at intervals the tail was fanned out on alternate sides or just spread out. Song continued the whole time at an intensive rate, the longest break between any songs being 4 secs., while usually it was about, or less than, i second. One of the other birds, presumably a' female, appeared to be taking a great deal of interest in this display, and was generally within about six inches of the male. On two or three occasions “ she ” flew up and hovered in various positions either just above 18 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. or below, or sometimes to the side of the male, and always alighted near him. Whenever this occurred the male was more excited than usual, singing at the greatest rate and shivering his wings. One other male was in occasional and half-hearted song at some distance from the rest of the party. The remaining seven birds appeared to be taking no interest in the matter. A. E. Vine, YELLOWHAMMER SINGING IN FLIGHT. On July 19th, 1949, at 19.30 I was walking down a lane in West Suffolk, when a Yellowhammer {Emberiza citrinella) which had been singing from a sapling in the hedge flew up at my approach and settled on another twig near by, singing as it flew, so that the greater part of the song was delivered in flight. As I continued to approach, the Yellowhammer flew up and eventually settled on a more distant perch, again singing as it did so, but this time the whole song was delivered whilst the bird was flying. The Handbook does not mention this species singing in flight, though this habit has been recorded in the Cirl Bunting {Emberiza drills) by Mr. R. G. Adams {antea, vol. xlii, p. 385). John Denny, SNOW-BUNTING IN WARWICKSHIRE. On November ist, 1949, at the Earlswood Reservoirs, Warwick- shire, we had under observation for an hour or more a Snow-Bunting {Plectrophenax nivalis). It was a juvenile male in winter plumage and had been seen, but not identified, on October 27th ; it was not seen after November ist. We watched it feeding on the lake-edge on Bur-Marigold {Bidens tripartita), the seeds of which it ate straight off the plant as well as on the ground, and on Duck-weed {Lemna sp.) which had been washed up by high winds. House-Sparrows {Passer domesticus) were also feeding on the latter plant. This appears to be the fourth record of the Snow-Bunting for Warwickshire. J. M. Arnott and M. J. Thomas. ROBBERY OF NEST MATERIAL BY HOUSE-SPARROW. The report {antea, vol. xliii, p. 186) of the theft by a Blue Tit {Parus ciBrideus) of nesting material belonging to a Willow-Tit (P. atricapillus) reminds me that in April, 1914, I watched House- Sparrows {Passer domesticus) completely pull to pieces and incor- porate in their own nest the nest of a Mistle-Thrush {Turdus viscivorus) in a cherry tree. In the same month the newly-built nest of a Song- Thrush (P. ericetorum) in an arbor vitae gradually and entirely dis- appeared, apparently by the same agency. C. Suffern. DISPLAY OF HOUSE-SPARROW. The following account of the display of the House-Sparrow {Passer domesticus) is based on observations made at Port Fouad, Egypt, on May 20th, 1949. The display, which lasted for fully four minutes, was characterized by its rapt and rigid nature, and was thus quite distinct from the normal, more noisy and volatile posturings of VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 19 one or several males. There were two components : — (1) The male hopped round the female in a squat position with neck contracted, bill pointing upwards at 40 degrees, wings closed but slightly lowered, head, body and tail almost on the same level, and legs bent, bringing the body parallel with the ground. The movement was accompanied by a subdued chirping and a shivering of the wings through a narrow arc as if a nervous current were pulsating through them. The actions were those of a mechanical toy. (2) Several times during the last minute or so of this display the male interrupted it with a remarkable posture which suggested an ecstatic state. It would suddenly drop back on its tail so as to be approximately 45 degrees to the ground, then straighten its legs, and with wings quivering raise itself to a fully vertical position by a series of regular jerks — a trembling motion — at the same time elongating its neck and pointmg its bill directly upwards. It would sway there for a few seconds before performing the first display again. At the height of this posture the bird appeared as if it were supported on the wing tips. All the while the female seemed to be feeding and once or twice half-heartedly pecked in the male’s direction ; however, it had approached the male in the first place. While (2) was always executed facing the female, (i) was performed often in other directions. Other males were driven away during the display, though tolerated before. K. E. L. Simmons. WOOD-LARKS IN YORKSHIRE. On October 31st, 1949, three Wood-Larks {Lullula arborea) were seen on a ploughed field near Scarborough, by H. P. They were still present the following day, and were watched for some time by E.A.W. and A.J.W. The lighter colouring and prominent light eye-stripe were clearly seen, and the short tail was noticeable whilst the birds were on the ground as well as in the air. They had moved on the next morning. This record is of interest in that it is the first occurrence of this species in the Scarborough district to be recorded in the official records. H. Pease, E. A. Wallis and A. J. Wallis. [Wood-Larks were reported {antea, vol. xxxix, pp. S5-86) breeding in N. Yorks in 1945, apparently for the first time. Since that date further records have come in and in 1949 (Y.N.U., Committee for Ornithology Report for 1949, p. 8) “ at least four pairs bred, and more were suspected.” Mr. Ralph Chislett informs us {in litt.) that though the recent records indicate an increase of the species in Yorkshire it is possible that birds were previously overlooked. — Eds.]. DISPLAY OF GREY WAGTAIL. At 8.00 on May 30th, 1949, a pair of Grey Wagtails {Motacilla cinerea) settled on the bank of the R. Elan near Rhayader, Radnor- shire. The male immediately adopted a peculiar attitude, in which the yellow rump feathers were erected until they were almost 20 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. vertical, forming a considerable hump in this region ; the tail was depressed to the ground and slightly expanded ; the wings were also depressed and vibrated rapidly ; the neck was held straight and upright. Maintaining this position the male ran towards the female and some “ tizzi ” calls were heard ; the female drove him off, but he immediately advanced again and was again driven off. After being similarly repulsed for the third time, the male stopped displaying and both birds flew off. This posture differs somewhat from that described in The Handbook. G. Beven. AGGRESSIVE DISPLAY OF BLUE TIT. On January 21st, 1949, at Birkenhead, a Robin {Erithacus rubecula) was pecking crumbs near a Potter trap, when a Blue Tit (Parus ccemleus) flew down, hovered over the trap and alighted on top of it. It examined the food inside and then flew down to the ground in front of the Robin about six inches away from it and displayed. The tail was fanned and slightly depressed, and the breast pressed close to the ground. The bill was then opened wide and the head swa}^ed from side to side for a few seconds. During this display the Robin remained quite still, but showed no other response. The Blue Tit then hopped round the trap and eventually faced the Robin again ; the display was repeated but was of shorter duration. W. T. C. Rankin. [An aggressive display, differing in some details from the above, has been recorded {antea, vol. xxxix, p. 86) as used by a Blue Tit against a Great Tit {Pams major). Other cases of inter-specific ‘display of this kind have been recorded by Colquhoun {antea, vol. XXXV, pp. 234-240). — Eds.]. CLOACA-PECKING BY BLUE TIT. With reference to notes which have appeared from time to time, concerning cloaca-pecking by various species, it may be of interest to note an instance of this behaviour by Blue Tits {Pams ccBmleus). On April 24th, 1950, a pair were seen to mate high up in a fir tree. After coition, the female remained crouching with shivering wings and the male hopped round behind her and pecked at the cloaca, several times, although in a much less violent manner than is usual with the Hedge-Sparrow {Prunella modidaris). Geoffrey Boyle. GAIT OF BEARDED TIT. As there is no record in The Handbook of the Bearded Tit {Panurus biarmicus) walking or running, it may be of interest to record that on May 31st, 1950, we observed an adult male of this species walking and running about on a small patch of mud at the edge of a reed- fringed pool in a Sulfolk marsh. It pecked at the mud, walking and running with considerable speed, immediately bringing to mind the actions of shore waders, with its tail cocked up at angle of about 60° from the horizontal. ju/enile birds had been seen in the vicinity of this site the previous day ; after continuing this activity for approximately British Birds, Vol. xliv, Bl. 1. Brambling {FringiUa montifrmgilla). Male and female at nest, Dovrkfjeld, Norway, Summer, 1950 {Photographed by M. D. liNGLAND). Hiitis'.i Birds, \’ol. xliv, 1’!. 2. Brambling {Fi'ingiUa moutifrin^illa). 1«'HMALF. AT NEST, I )OVREFJ ELI) . N()K\VA^•, SUMMI'.R, I <)30. { Photoi^rii plied bv y\. I >. I'-Ngland). ]^)ritish f^irds, \'ol. xliv, ]^J. ;j. Brambling ( Friui^illa )JWniii;i'infiiUa). .Mali: figcding young, I)o\'refjkld, Norway, Summer, 1950. (P’l'.olon/aphcd b\' I). England). British Birds, \'ol. xli\ , PI. 4. Brambling {/■'I'iiigi/la m(niUlriu;^illa). Female at nest, DovREFjKt.i), Norway, Summi'R, kj^o. (I’hotof^raphcd by M. 1). I'.ngi.and). British Birds, Vol. xliv. Pi. 5. Brambling [Frttiiiillti montijyin^illa). Male and female at nest, Dovrefjeld, Norway, Summer, 1950. [Photofiyaphcd by M. 1). England). British Birds, \'ol. xliv, PI. (i {l'hoto;^raphr(l hv M. |). ICN(;i..^Nn). British Birds, \*oI. xli\', Id. 7 Beambling {Frir!"illa montifri-.igiUa). MaLF, and FEMALIC AT NEST, DOVREFJKLD, NORWAY, SUMMER, I O50. (Fhotographeil hy M. D. England). Britisli Birds, Vol. xliv, PI. 8. Snowy Owl {Mycti-a scandiaca). In flight abovk ship (uppkk) and ufsting on hoakd (i.owkr) in North An. ANTIC March K)3o. {I’hotocfyaphcd by C. I'oncastkr). (See 13). VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 21 three minutes, the bird ran back into the reeds towards the area where these juveniles had been seen. No food was visible in its bill, however. G. B. G. Benson and P. R. Westall. TRAPPED MASKED SHRIKE “ FEIGNING DISABLEMENT.” The recent notes {antea, vol. xlii, p. 216 ; xliii, p. 252) on various species of birds ” feigning death ” when trapped prompt this record of related behaviour from a Masked Shrike {Lanius nubicus). This bird, a migrant juvenile, was caught in a Heligoland type trap on October 9th, 1949, at the Fayid Bird Observatory, Egypt. While still in the collecting chamber, the shrike slipped about as though injured, finally lying on its side with one wing extended, but, before it was transferred to a portable carrying-box, it ” recovered,” fluttering before the glass waU in the usual manner of a trapped bird. When put in the carrying-box, the Shrike lay quite inert on one side, with its head extended and eyes open, and the legs drawn up to the beUy, feet clenched. It remained thus while being transported some hundred yards, but when handled it ” came to life,” struggled, and emitted a rattling scream, hopping about vigorously and flapping its wings in a normal ” healthy ” manner when returned to the box. K. E. L. Simmons, H. G. Brownlow, J. W. Godeck. GOLDCREST USING SAME NEST TWICE IN ONE SEASON. On August 14th, 1949, I watched a pair of Goldcrests (Regulus regulus) feeding young in a nest in a Yew [Taxus baccata) at Damerham, Hants., which I had seen being built in April and which was occupied towards the end of that month. I watched the birds often until August i8th, and on the 20th saw the young being fed out of the nest. By this time the nest was looking very ragged. G. W. H. Moule. “ANTING” OF SONG-THRUSH. On June 15th, 1949, at Strawberry Hill, Middlesex, I watched a Song-Thrush {Turdus ericetorum) squatting on the ground and picking up objects which it placed among its primaries and secondaries. This went on for ten minutes and on investigation I found that the bird had been sitting in an ants’ nest. Since “ anting ” in this species seems to have been recorded only once before {antea, vol. xl, p. 117) I thought that this further instance might be of interest. T. P. Wells. As there are few records of “ anting ” by the Song-Thrush {Turdus ericetorum), it may be worth while putting on record that while we were watching a party of Starlings {Sturnus vulgaris) “ anting ” in a stone courtyard at Burford, Oxfordshire, on July 21st, 1950, an adult Song-Thrush in full moult was seen to do the same! The courtyard was swarming with ants, and the Starlings were vigorously 6J^g3-g6d in picking them up and rubbing them on their plumage, especially under the wings — the juveniles present were only seen to pick the ants up. At the same time the thrush was picking 22 BRITISH BIRDS. [vOL. XLIV. ants up, rubbing them on its plumage, and shuffling around among them. R. S. R. Fitter and R. A. Richardson. DISPLAY OF BLACKBIRD. On December 27th, 1949, at Aveton Gifford, South Devon, I watched a male Blackbird {Turdus menda) displaying to a hen. The hen flew across a meadow and perched in a small elm tree ; the male followed and perched about four feet from the hen and slightly below her. The male faced the hen, then, crouching low over the branch, tail held horizontal and wings slightly extended, turned, ran along the branch for about three feet, turned and ran back to its original position. It then flew to the same branch as the female, perching about a foot from her and facing in the same direction. After a pause the male returned to its first branch and repeated the display, ending on the same branch as the female. After another pause it began the process all over again, making several runs along its branch, but this time it flew to a branch above the hen where it preened for a few seconds before once more dropping to the lower branch. It did three more runs, flew to the side of the hen, then back on to its branch for two more runs and finally flew higher up into the tree. The hen then flew off followed by the male. During the whole of this display the hen took no notice whatever of the male. It was noticed that the male maintained the crouching position during the runs and at the end of each run always turned towards the hen. The day was mild with a light southerly wind blowing. D. R. Edgcombe. On March 21st, 1950, a male and female Blackbird {Turdus merula) were seen alighting on a wall about five feet apart and facing one another. Immediately they ran together, the male advancing faster than the female and with his wings half-spread, held somewhat below the horizontal. He opened and half-closed his mandibles as he ran. The female ran a few steps with her beak slightly open and pointed upwards at an angle of 60°. At their nearest approach the birds’ beaks were about four or five inches apart and the cock then opened and half-closed his mandibles rapidly and vehemently with neck outstretched thrusting towards the female. She opened her beak and once or twice moved her mandibles without closing them with her head still in the air. Then she took flight and he remained for a second or two with wings somewhat drooped, shuffling his plumage slightly. Then he also flew. Two male Blackbirds had been seen repeatedly in this territory, flying up and sparring in the usual fashion. The posturing described took place where this territory adjoined an area inhabited for three seasons by a ringed female. The female was found nest-building later in the same day. E. A. Armstrong and E. J. Armstrong. [In several recent volumes we have published accounts of displays of the Blackbird, but none that agrees very closely with either of the displays recorded above. The nearest approach to the one recorded VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 23 by Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong is to be found in a note by H. E. Littledale {antea, vol. xxxviii, p. 38). As was recorded on another occasion {antea, vol. xxxvii, p. 215) it is evident that “ the display actions of the Blackbird show wide variation and conform to no well-dehned pattern." — Eds.]. BEHAVIOUR OF ROBIN IN PRESENCE OF ADDER. While passing through a wood on Leith Hill, Surrey, on July 3rd, 1949) I was attracted by an adult Robin {Erithacus ruhecula) which was remarkably agitated. Its beak was full of small green caterpillars and it was fluttering backwards and forwards in front of its nest in a low bank. It would perch on the bushes near by, continually cocking up its tail in a most exaggerated manner. The whole time it was uttering loud, harsh, rattling notes, quite unlike any I had previously heard. Repeatedly it would flutter just in front of its nest and hover about two feet from it for a few moments and then go back to perch and repeat its alarm. On investigation, the four nearly fully-fledged young were found pulled a few inches out in front of the nest, and there was an Adder (about a foot long) among them. The Adder immediately shot into the hole in the bank and coiled up in the now empty nest there. After chasing off the snake, I found that two of the young Robins were dead and two were apparently dying. I put the two latter back in the nest, hid the dead ones and retired to watch. The adult Robin soon came back and paid several visits to the nest and became immediately very quiet, only giving a few soft " tick ’’ notes, and one faint phrase of song. It then left but returned again in a few minutes, but thereafter no adults were seen carrying food. It would appear, therefore, that as soon as the young had ceased to beg for food, the adults ceased to collect it. By this time the two young Robins in the nest were immobile. Two adults were not seen together so I was not sure whether both were present. G. Beven. ALPINE SWIFT IN DORSET. On May 22nd, 1950, at 14.00, my wife and I saw an Alpine Swift {Apus melba) at Swanage. It flew and circled around, in brilliant sunshine, with about a dozen other Swifts {Apus apus) for ten minutes. The white belly first attracted attention, but the paler brown upper parts were almost as striking when seen at close range, as were the conspicuous white chin and brown breast-band. The larger size, however, though obvious enough when the two species flew side by side, or the rarer bird came close to us, was often masked when the birds spread over a large area of the sky, for then their apparent size varied according to their distance, so’ that the Alpine Swift was lost in the crowd. G. Bernard Gooch. ROOSTING OF HOOPOES. The Handbook records that Hoopoes {Upopa epops) occasionally climb up trees like a woodpecker. In the springs of 1949 and 1950, 24 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. we saw Hoopoes at Fayid, Egypt, roosting in young banana trees not exceeding ten feet in height. They cling to the trunk in a woodpecker-like attitude at a height of four to six feet from the ground at the junction of the down-hanging dead leaves and the new growth. The prevailing wind is northerly. All Hoopoes seen roosting in this way were on the southern side of the tree. R. W. Crowe and H. G. Brownlow. STATUS OF GREEN WOODPECKER IN NORTHERN ENGLAND. The publication {antea, vol. xlii, p. i86) of a note on the increase and spread of the Green Woodpecker {Picus viridis) in Lancashire resulted in the receipt of several notes suggesting that a similar increase was taking place further north. As the publication of notes from individual observers might have given a confused or partial picture, we have instead secured reports covering the whole of Northumberland and Durham and Lakeland. We are very grateful to Messrs. G. W. Temperley and Ernest Blezard for these summaries of the present status of the species in their respective areas. The Editors. Northumberland and Durham. The status of the Green Woodpecker has changed considerably during recorded times. Until the early years of last century it seems to have been fairly common and well distributed in both counties. Selby (1831) wrote : “ The Green Woodpecker is seldom seen in the northern parts of Northumberland. I have, however, met with it in the woods about Huln Abbey, near Alnwick, and upon the banks of the Wansbeck. It is common about Durham and indeed in all localities where timber abounds and has attained an advanced age.” The first observer to record any falling off in numbers was Hutchinson (1840), who wrote that it was ” formerly much more common than it is at present ; the cause being apparently the scarcity of decaying trees and the persecution which every bird considered somewhat rare encounters at the present day. . . . They are occasionally met with near Durham, but I have never found a nest.” Subsequent writers described it as : “a rare bird ” or ” an occasional visitor.” Hancock (1874) wrote : ” not by any means common ; occasionally breeds in the district ” ; but he quoted only one instance of breeding — at Minsteracres in the valley of the Tyne, date not recorded. At the beginning of the present century, Tristram (1905) gave its status as — ” formerly common, now rare.” A few years after this was written, however, observers noted an increase in numbers in the few localities where it had previously been located, and a slow but gradual extension of its range followed. In 1913 it was slowly moving up the Tees valley. By 1920 it had become estab- lished in some of the larger woodlands in Weardale and was spreading from them both up and down that valley. By 1927 it was in the valleys of the Derwent and Team and breeding in woods VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 25 along the middle reaches of the Tyne. While this extension over the County of Durham was in progress, reports were received of its more frequent occurrence in woods about Morpeth and Alnwick in Northumberland; but here the most rapid increase took place from 1940 onwards. In 1941 it was reported to be within 10 miles of Berwick in the north and by 1943 it had reached Falstone on the North T5me. By 1949 it was breeding in most of the deciduous woodlands in the two counties, from the coast to the fringes of the western moorlands and its laughing notes are a familiar sound to the country-lover. The same period has also witnessed a most decided increase and an extension of range of the Great Spotted Woodpecker {Dendro- copus major). It never became as scarce as the Green Woodpecker and its recovery began rather earlier and was more gradual. In numbers it has kept ahead of the Green Woodpecker and is now a very common woodland species. In the Gosforth Park Bird Sanc- tuary at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in 1949, seven pairs were counted and the nesting holes of three of them were located. It has been able to penetrate further up the river valleys than the Green Woodpecker as its favourite nesting site is in the trunks of decaying birches {Betula alba) which extend along the banks of the streams beyond the limits of the woodlands. Like many other resident species, the woodpeckers suffered severely during the winter of 1946-47, but recent reports establish the fact that in most districts both species are regaining their previous strength. It is difficult to account for this gradual increase in numbers or for the rapid spread that has occurred during the last decade. It cannot be a question of available nesting-sites, as there has always been an ample supply of deciduous trees in both counties. On the coal-fields of Eastern and Central Durham and of South-East Northumberland there are many well wooded parks and game- covers where the trees have been allowed to grow, until time, aided by colliery smoke and chemical fumes, has reduced them to a decrepit old age, when insect and other pests provide food for birds and decay makes nesting-sites available for hole-breeding species. Of late years many of these woodlands have been cleared to make room for plantations of conifers, in which the trees are felled for timber long before they attain old age. This will continue at an increased rate in the future and promises to have a serious effect upon the avifauna of both counties. The Green Woodpecker is much more of a ground feeder than the other species and one of its favourite foods here is the Wood Ant {Formica rufa). The widespread planting of coniferous trees has been advantageous to this ant, which, in the writer’s experience, was never more plentiful than it is to-day. It is possible that this more abundant food supply may have been one of the factors promoting the increase of the Green Woodpecker. 26 BRITISH BIRDS [VOL. XLIV. REFERENCES. Selby, P. J. (1831). “ Catalogue of the Birds hitherto met with in the counties of Northumberland and Durham.” Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Vol. I. Hutchinson, J. (1840). ” Birds of Durham ” (unpublished MS.) Hancock, J. (1874). ” Catalogue of the Birds of Northumberland and Durham” Nat. Hist. Trans, of Northumberland and Durham. Vol. VE Tristram, Rev. Canon H. B. (1905). ” Birds.” Victoria County History of Durham, Vo. I. Bolam, G. (1932). “ Catalogue of the Birds of Northumberland.” ,^Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. (New Series), Vol. VIH. Temperley, G. W. (i935“49)‘ Ornithological Reports of Northumberland and Durham. GeORGE W. TeMPERLEY. Lakeland. Although the Green Woodpecker had nested in Cumberland so long ago as 1840 and been settled at Bassenthwaite since 1905, it first gained any prommence as a Lakeland bird in Westmorland. Perhaps no later than at Bassenthwaite, it arrived in the south-east of that county to become three or four pairs strong near Kirkby Lonsdale alone. Then, following upon the arrival of a pair at Rydal in 1918, the Grasmere valley became the stronger populated place. Eastward again, in the Eden valley, there were settlers on either side of the boundary between the sister counties. Two of four distinct localities in North Lancashire were suspected nesting haunts. This, broadly, brings the history to 1942 and the beginning of a marked spread which developed in an extraordinary way from 1947 onward. A northward advance ran along the east side of Cumber- land, particularly in the Eden valley, and continued north-easterly into the valley of the Gelt. The bird had reached Gilsland, at the Northumberland boundary, by 1945. Around Carlisle it is now likely to be encountered in almost every direction for a dozen miles or more while, in April, 1950, a couple actually turned up in the city. Wooded parts of Westmorland have been occupied along the Kent valley from about the estuary up into Kentmere. North of this place, the bird has taken to Ullswater side. It has got into the Winster valley and, nearer its early stronghold, spread into Langdale, and around Ambleside and along the east side of Windermere. To one part of High Furness, it certainly arrived with some suddenness in 1948. It can now be traced from Graythwaite, at the west side of Windermere, up by Esthwaite to Yewdale and Tilberthwaite and, round by Tarn Hows and Coniston, to Nibth- waite at the foot of Coniston Water. Near Grange-over-Sands, one of the earlier North Lancashire haunts in Cartmel, there are now at least two occupied woods. Except for the Duddon valley, between Furness and Cumberland, records are lacking for the western or seaward side of Lakeland. The details are from those supphed to the Carlisle Natural History Society by members and correspondents. Ernest Blezard. VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 27 ABNORMAL CLUTCH OF MERLIN’S EGGS. On May 29th and 31st, 1950, in the wild hill-country of south-east Cardiganshire, Wales, I had the pleasure of examining in situ a splendid clutch of seven eggs of the Merlin {Falco columbarius). They were laid in an old nest of the Carrion Crow {Corvus corone) built near the top of a thorn-tree on a steep hillside at a height of about 15 feet. All the eggs were very similar and appeared to have been laid by the same bird, and their arrangement in the nest was rather interesting. Three lay in a line, the remaining four being disposed in pairs on either side of the line. So far as my experience extends of this species in Wales, three to five, but usually four, eggs comprise the normal laying. The Handbook remarks that sets of seven have been recorded only from the continent. Hubert E. Pounds. AUTUMN BEHAVIOUR OE KESTRELS. A RECENT note by Mr. K. G. Spencer {antea, vol. xlii, p. 390) on this subject reminded me of a similar but more complex display which I witnessed on September 26th, 1946, in hilly country east of Burnley, Lancs. Three Kestrels [Falco tinnunculus) were hovering close together over a steep hillside which is a favourite hunting ground of this species. One of them, which was either female or immature, took no part in the display. The other two were a pair, and since the weather was bright and sunny I was easily able to distinguish the sexes. When I first saw them the pair were hovering close together and from time to time the cock stooped at the hen, narrowly missing her, and then glided backwards and forwards below her like a pendulum bob attached to her by some unseen cord. He would finish this display with an earthward rush, similar to the spring display of the Lapwing ( Vanellus vanellus), before returning to her side to repeat the performance. After some minutes the hen came to rest on a small hawthorn tree and the cock began to fly round her passing quite close to her. He could be clearly seen to be holding something in one foot (he had been to the ground just before this), and one of the birds, probably the cock, called frequently. The call was similar to the usual " kee-kee-kee ” but softer and lower pitched. Eventually the hen left her perch and both birds hovered close together, the cock still carrying the object. After some time he dropped it and I could see that it was a light object, probably a piece of stick, for it dropped obliquely, with the wind. He immediately flew down, picked it up again and resumed his position near the hen who was still hovering. He then dropped it a second time and left it. At intervals during the hovering the cock would fly a few hundred yards into the wind (south-west) and then turn round, rushing back towards the hen, with the wind, wings almost closed. [cf. J. S. Huxley’s observations ; Handbook, vol. HI, p. 27.) The two birds eventually drifted away with the wind until they were 28 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. lost to sight over the brow of the hill. On September loth, 1948, in exactly the same place I saw five Kestrels hovering close together and chasing each other around and between some small hawthorn trees which grow on the hillside. This time I was unable to pick out a mature male and I am of the opinion that all the birds were immature, although I did not get a sufficiently good view of them to place this beyond doubt. On one occasion since 1946, namely on September 15th, 1948, I have seen a Kestrel stoop on and pick up an inanimate object. This time, however, the bird was apparently alone and only rose a distance of some four to six feet before dropping the object which was a small, dried up tuft of grass. The bird had probably seen this moving in the wind and stooped on it in mistake for some living prey. A few minutes later this same bird caught a Short- tailed Field Vole {Microtus agrestis) and carried it away to an outstanding knoll about a quarter of a mile away. Here it deposited the body, walked round for a few minutes without making any attack on the vole and then flew off. I examined the vole and found it almost undamaged. As far as I could see, the bird was not disturbed in any way before it could eat its prey. The vole was not there on the following morning. I have not seen any previous record of a Kestrel catching prey outside the breeding season and not eating it. D. Leaver. SHOVELER BREEDING IN MIDDLESEX. Further to my note on the first recorded breeding of Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) in Middlesex (antea, vol. xlii, p. 330), I can again report the successful breeding of this species in Middlesex for 1949 and 1950. The breeding locality for the 1949 record was the same as that recorded for 1948, and the 1950 record approximately one mile away to the south-west of the original area. On both occasions I was accompanied by W. N. Mitchell. On June 6th, 1949, an adult female was brooding 8-9 downy young in the long grass on a sloping bank and she was almost trodden upon. “ Injury-feigning ” was given immediately ; with wings spread out the bird flapped laboriously along the ground until, about 15 yards away, it stopped — with breast still touching the ground — and turned its head towards us ; after a little while it stood up facing us, then flying low towards us settled on the bank about 10 yards away. During the display the pale blue wing coverts were seen well, also white wing bar, greenish speculum, and characteristic bill, brownish in colour with base and edges orange. Simultaneously with the flushing of the adult some of the young tumbled down the bank, and in the commotion one young tumbled upon its back and could not get away until picked up and released. On June i8th, 1950, we were able to watch a pair of adult Shovelers with eight downy young. All identification details of the adults were plainly seen. C. A. White, VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 29 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS IN SUEEOLK AND NORTHUMBERLAND. On Eebruary i8th, 1950, I observed a duck Red-crested Pochard [Netta ruf na) on Easton Broad, Suffolk. When hrst seen, it was with four Common Pochards {Aythya ferina), a duck Smew [Mergus albellns), a duck Long-tailed Duck {Clangula hyemalis), and a drake Tufted Duck [Aythya fuligula) in a small party together. The main held characteristics were easily seen with binoculars and telescope, including the well dehned grey cheek patch, the dark bill with reddish tip ; and the white wing patch, in particular, was well seen, when the bird was flushed. It should, perhaps, be mentioned that I have previously become familiar with this species in the Camargue, S. France. P. R. Westall. Following the occurrence of Red-crested Pochards [Netta nifina) in Cheshire and Nottinghamshire [antea, vol. xliii, p. 20) it may be of interest to record that on February nth, 1950, a duck of this species was seen on the lake in the Gosforth Park Bird Sanctuary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was observed under .very favourable con- ditions by three members of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. All the distinguishing characters of the species were noted. The lake has been re-visited subsequently but the bird has not been seen again. R. G. Grey, K. N. Green and W. R. Lofthouse. [Mr. G. W. Temperley, who has forwarded the above record to us, informs us that he is satisfied that the bird was correctly identified. In connexion with these records and those for 1949; we are informed by Mr. C. A. Norris that a possible source of escapes has come to light near Birmingham, where there are, apparently, quite a number of full-winged birds. The possibility of these birds being escapes cannot be altogether discounted. — Eds. 1 COMMON SCOTER DIVING DIRECT FROM FLIGH1 Whilst watching from a hide on Little Hilbre Island, Dee Estuary, Cheshire, on April 5th, 1950, I noticed a duck Common Scoter [Melanitta nigra) flying rapidly down towards the water, chased by two immature Herring-Gulls [Lams argentatus). The duck dived straight under the water without first alighting, and only reappeared for a brief instant some quarter of a minute later, when it dived again in the normal fashion as a gull approached. When it surfaced the second time it remained above water for a good while, but a third approach by a gull made it dive again. After this it was not seen to be molested again. I find no record of this action in The Handbook. W. T. C. Rankin. VELVET SCOTER IN SOMERSET. .A.S the Velvet Scotei [Melanitta, fusca) has been recorded in Somerset 30 BRITISH BIRDS. VOL. XLIV. on very few occasions since 1900, and is also rare on inland waters, it may be worth recording that I had a fairly good view of one at Durleigh reservoir on November 7th, 1949. When seen in flight it appeared uniformly sooty black, with a very conspicuous white wing patch, and was no doubt a male. It was also present on November 12th. E. G. Richards. BLACK-THROATED DIVERS IN WARWICKSHIRE, WORCESTERSHIRE AND BERKSHIRE. On February 5th, 1950, a single Black-throated Diver {Colymbus arcticus) was seen by J.S. at Earlswood Lakes, Warwickshire, and shortly afterwards by A.W.C., P.E. and others. It was not seen on or after February i8th. It was smaller than a typical Great Northern Diver {Colymhts immer) both in overall length and bill size. The head and back of neck were grey-brown and of very smooth texture. The throat and neck were white except for a small dusky patch under the chin, and small patches at the sides of the base of the neck. The back was black-brown with several rows of white spots, mainly on the scapulars. It was seen under varying light conditions at ranges down to ten yards. At this range it was seen that the lower mandible was very slightly down- curved. This is the third record of the species in Warwickshire. On February 12th, 1950, another Black-throated Diver was seen at Upper Bittell Reservoir, Worcestershire ; it was still present on February i8th, but had left by the 25th. In appearance it was very similar to the Earlswood specimen (which was still present) and although possibly a trifle larger, the slender neck was very noticeable. This is the first Worcestershire record. It may be added that the appearance of these birds coincided with a period of south-westerly gales. A. W. CuNDALL, P. Evans, J. Sears. At dusk on hebruary 3rd, 1950, a bird having an unusual silhouette was observed on the lake in Whiteknights Park, Reading. Further observation the following morning showed that it was a Black- throated Diver {Colymbus arcticus). The bird was in full plumage apart from a white chin and a few white feathers in the centre of the black throat. Many local ornithologists were able to observe this unusual species in great detail as it was extremely tame and frequently surfaced within five yards of a busy public road ; the lake is within the County Borough boundary. Several observers saw the bird flap its wings and were of the opinion that the flight feathers of the right wing were truncated. However, the diver was seen flying on February 24th and it was not reported after April 4th. C. C. Batch. BAR-TAILED GODWIT SWIMMING. As attention has been drawn {antea, vol. xliii, p, 30) to the fact that VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 31 The Handbook makes no mention of Bar-tailed Godwits {Limosa lap'ponica) swimming, the following incident may be worth recording. On September 12th, 1949, I was watching a party of twelve Greenshanks {Tringa nebuLaria) and one Green Sandpiper {T. ochropus) resting and feeding by a shallow pool on Rockcliffe Marsh, Cumberland, when a Bar-tailed Godwit joined them and began wading in the shallows, then presently got into deeper water and swam about for a good hve minutes, picking insects off the water with its bill. A sudden alarm disturbed the 'Greenshanks and the Godwit also flew away. R. H. Brown. TEMMINCK’S STINT IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE IN MARCH. A VERY small wader in the company of a party of Redshank {Tringa totanus) was observed at the sewage farm, Cambridge, on March 17th, 1950. "We approached within 50 yards of the bird, one observer using Ross X 6 and the other x 8 binoculars and each watcher examined the bird with the aid of a X40 telescope. Careful comparison with Redshank suggested an approximate length of 5-6 inches and the bird was of such a height as to be able to pass between a Redshank’s legs. The upper parts were grey, streaked with darker markings ; the under parts pure white except for the upper breast which was finely streaked grey-buff, this area ending with a fairly sharp line of demarcation. There was a light superciliary stripe and the forehead was white. The tail of the bird at rest was seen through the telescope to be narrowly edged white, while the rest of the tail was dark brown. The bill was short, straight and black and the legs very dark (possibly muddy !). Careful consideration of our field notes suggests that the bird was a Temminck’s Stint {Calidris temminckii), in spite of the very early date. A.S.T. had had previous experience of observing this species and was confident of identification, although we would have desired confirmation in the form of call and flight observations. A. S. Thom and E. Crackles. FLOCKING OF COMMON SANDPIPER. With reference to the records {antea, vol. xliii, p. 230) of flocking by Common Sandpiper {Actitis hypoleucos), the habit is certainly well- established in parts of the species’ winter quarters. The bird is widespread throughout most of West Africa, being most abundant in autumn and spring, although a few remain during the summer, and many during the winter. Apart from periods of extra high tides in the mangrove swamp areas, when patches of dry land are so scarce that flocking, and some- times even perching in low trees, is unavoidable, I have on numerous occasions seen parties of twenty to fifty together, especially towards dusk. A feature of these gatherings is the excited calling and constant short flights to and fro. I have not noted the direct, high flight in compact flocks which is mentioned in the note quoted above, and suggest that such behaviour is more to be expected of birds which are actually on migration. It is pertinent to remark 32 BRITISH BIRDS. VOL. XLIV. that the Common Sandpipers which 1 have heard at niglit oft the West African coast have passed at a considerable height, and have given me — from their calls — the impression of moving in small flocks of about the size seen in England. Since writing the abo\-e, I have found that similar observations of Hocking have been made by G. C. Young {Ibis (194b), p. 357), who remarked on an increase in the activity in spring, and by a writer in a private Nigerian journal in 1932. P. 1. R. Maclaren. COMMON SANDPIPER NESTING ON ROCK ON SEA-SHORE. On June 25th, 1942, 1 found a Common Sandpiper’s (Actitis hypoleu- cos) nest in a very odd position on a beach near Ballantrae, Ayrshire. At the end of a long shingle slope the beach changed its character completely and became a mass of rocks and rock-pools in which were sea-anemones and the usual rock-pool inhabitants. The rocks stretched inland to the base of a low cliff, and on a solid rock about 4 feet high, only just above high-water mark, was a nest with two warm eggs in it, apparently those of a Common Sandpiper. The top of the rock was not quite flat and sloped landwards, and the nest was in a slight depression sheltered on the sea side by a small rock edge an inch or two high. Not being able to believe my eyes, 1 spent some time two days later watching the bird return to the nest and had an excellent view of it as it stood a long time preening and drying before settling down on the eggs, and it was certainly a Common Sandpiper. Neither The Handbook nor any other book 1 have seen mentions such a place as a nesting-site. M. D. Crosby. LAPWING NESTlNTx ON SHINGLE BEACH. With reference to the note {aiUea, vol. xliii, p. 131), 1 can record two instances of Lapwings ( I'anellus vanellus) nesting on shingle beaches. The first nest was found on May 14th, 1943, on a shingle beach near Ballantrae, Ayrshire. Then' were four eggs and the nest was not more than thirty yards above extreme higli-tide mark, wliich was marked on the landward side of tlie shingle slojie by a line of " wrack ”011 which terns were nesting. Oyster-catchers {Hcvmatopns ostralegiis) and Ringed Plovers {Charadrius hiutictda) were nesting also about the same distance inland as the Lapwing, on plain shingle. The other nest was found on June 8th, 1948, on the landward side of the Chesil Beach, about three miles from Portland, Dorset, again on plain shingle. The nest was made of a few bents and had four eggs. The position beyond the landw'ard slope of the shingle was similar to that of the Ballantrae nest, except that the Chesil Bank is much higher. Nests of Common and Little Terns {Sterna hirundo and S. albifrons) were in the vicinity. In both cases there was inshore water, the Eleet by the Chesil Bank and pools at Ballantrae. M. 1). Crosby. I Attention is drawn to a misjirint (m/icu, vol. xliii, p. 131) where the I'eterence to previous records of this habit should be vol. \xx\’iii, p. 357, not vol. xxxvii. — Eus. | VOL. xLiv.] NOTES. 33 ADULT BEHAVIOUR PATTERNS OCCURRING IN THE JUVENILE OYSTER-CATCHER. Makkink (“ Contribution to the knowledge of the behaviour of the Oyster-catcher,” Ardea 31 (i, 2) 1942) says : ” The attitude in which the parent birds with food walk to their young ones was strongly reminiscent of that of the male prior to copulation (‘ stealthy walk ’). It is quite possible that this is one of the many cases in which an attitude belonging elsewhere in the ethological repertory is being used as an introduction to copulation.” (p. 50). In support of this view, and amplification of it, may be given the following observation, made whilst watching an adult and juvenile Oyster-catcher {Hcematopus ostralegus) on the North Haven shore at Fair Isle on June i8th, 1948. The young one persistently moved about its parent at very close quarters, sometimes almost touching as it passed in front or behind, with the same ” stealthy walk ” as described and figured by Makkink. The adult remained still most of the time, or moved only a few steps. The young one’s movements were interrupted by probing with the bill in the wet sand, or by picking up food, but the attitude did not change. Once the parent picked at the sand with its bill, and the young one immediately came up and did the same at exactly the same spot, appearing to procure some food. (See Makkink, p. 50, for a similar observation). Identical behaviour in the same two birds was watched on the shore on July 20th, when the female again invited the attention of the juvenile to some item of food (which the latter took) by a deliberate picking action at the water’s edge. From these observations it would appear likely that the ” stealthy walk ” of the male prior to coition is one of the many examples of adult posturing which has its origin in the actions of the young bird. The juvenile had a short, quiet trill which it struck me might in the safne way be the origin of the characteristic call ” twee-twee- twee ” mentioned by Makkink as accompanying copulation (p. 25). Makkink (p. 29) adduces as evidence for the sexual origin of the piping display the fact that it does not take place among juvenile birds. The conclusion may well be true, but no support is to be found for it in the behaviour of young birds, as already shown by Richardson {antea, vol. xlii, p. 221). A party of Oyster-catchers on the rocks of the south-west coast of Fair Isle on August 14th, 1948, comprized three adults and two juveniles, the latter with grey legs and lacking the red eye-rim. Two adults began to pipe at the third, and the juveniles adopted the same attitude with hunched backs, down-bent heads and bills pointing to the ground, and moved along in this attitude with the adults. So far as I could see, however, the young remained silent during the demonstration. Further evidence that this pattern is not exclusive to adults is provided by an observation made in the same area on September I2th, 1949, in which two juveniles piped in characteristic fashion at 34 BRITISH BIRDS. [vOL. XLIV. a third, which walked before them, apparently in an attempt to make it leave the offshore skerry on which they were feeding. The bird did not leave, and after a short time the trio became quiet and settled down to feed together. The characters of immaturity — grey legs, brown-fringed wing-coverts and absence of the red eye-rim — were obvious in all three birds through x 9 glasses. Kenneth Williamson. “ PADDLING ” ACTION OF SANDWICH TERNS. On April 8th, 1950, there were nine Sandwich Terns {Sterna sand- vicensis) on a sandbank in Radipole Lake, Weymouth. They were obviously resting while on passage, and I was struck by their strange behaviour. All the birds were facing into the wind, standing in typical hunched-up attitude. Suddenly the leader commenced to patter with the feet, rapidly, in the manner of a Black-headed Gull {Lams ridibundus) when bringing worms to the surface. The other eight followed suit one after the other, until the whole lot were “ paddling ” hard and moving forward slowly, all the time. At this point the flock suddenly took to the air, wheeling round with hoarse cries. One bird detached itself from the group in the air and flew off, the remainder then landed on the sandbank. After a short while the whole performance took place again and three more birds detached themselves from the main body and flew out of sight. The remaining five landed on the sandbank again, where they stayed until 1 was forced to leave. Geoffrey Boyle. THE STATUS OE GULLS IN BRECKLAND. Because of the publication of scattered notes, a certain amount of confusion has arisen concerning the status of gulls in those parts of West Norfolk and West Suffolk known as Breckland. This note is designed to clarify the matter and to amplify the information in the county ornithologies. Black-headed Gull {Lariis ridibundus). In Suftblk a small colony (already described antea, vol. xliii, p. 193) exists at the Bury St. Edmunds Beet Factory settling ponds. Between five and ten pairs nested in 1948 and 1949 but only four nests were found in 1950. At the West Stow sewage farm, five miles to the N.W., one pair nested in 1947, but workmen reported a second nest to be unsuccessful. In 1947 about 700 pairs nested on the floods in Lakenheath Fen, on the Western boundary of the district. This colony has been described previously {antea, vol. xli, p. 158). Between Downham Market and Stoke Ferry in Norfolk there is a colony at the Wissington Beet Factory settling ponds. The exist- ence of this site had been known for several years, but a breeding- season visit had not been made until 1950, when about 60 nesting pairs were found. The site is actually in the Feuland, by the R. Wissey, but some of the birds feed in Breckland and it is thought best to include it as it is previously unrecorded. A number of birds also visit the fields and meres in the N.E. part of the area, from the Scoulton colony. VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 35 The Black-headed Gull also occurs as a passage migrant. In winter large numbers arrive daily in the N. and W. parts of the area from the Wash. Sometimes some of these roost inland. To the S. and S.E. birds flight up the Stour valley daily. Common Gull [Lams canus). An occasional summer visitor, a passage migrant and a winter visitor. In this last-named category, birds are to be found in small numbers with the Black-headed Gull, but in considerably larger numbers than that species in a belt along the W. and N.W. boundaries of the region. Herring-Gull {Lams argentatus). Doubtless odd individuals may turn up at any time of the year, but it is as a winter visitor that this species is most prominent. In recent years it has arrived to winter in the area in increasing numbers each year. In 1947-48 under 50 birds wintered, but in 1948-49 up to 1,000 arrived and in 1949-50 a peak of about 3,000 was attained. These birds roost at Thompson Water and Mickle Mere, N. of Thetford, Norfolk, and feed b}^ day on the heaths and fields in both Norfolk and West Suffolk. Lesser Black-backed Gull {Lams fuscus). A spring and autumn passage migrant. It is perhaps fitting here to include a correction to a note published by D. E. Sergeant and the writer in 1948 {antea, vol. xli, p. 190). In stating that this species was wintering inland in Norfolk we made a most regrettable error in identification, as it has since been shown that the flocks observed were made up of a mixture of Herring- and Great Black-backed Gulls. No example of the Lesser Black-back has since been identified during winter and it must be concluded that there was none present during the winters of 1946-47 and 1947-48. However, it may be added that other members of the Cambridge Bird Club had reported Lesser Black-backs as early as 1944 and it is a matter of conjecture to which species these may be referred. Great Black-backed Gull {Lams marinus). This species is a winter visitor in the same way as the Herring-Gull. Reports collected from local farmers indicate that it has been an occasional winter visitor in small numbers, generally to be associated with hard weather, for as long as they can remember. In 1946-47 under 50 birds wintered, in 1947-48 probably about 100, in 1948-49 a peak of 450 (already described, antea, vol. xliii, p. 61) and in 1949-50 up to 250. They roost on the meres and range widely by day over the Norfolk and West Suffolk heaths. It has been found that they arrive in November and December and most leave by or during March, but a few stay until mid-April. The cessation of the North Sea herring fishery during November coincides with the arrival of the Herring- and Great Black-backed Gulls inland. The variation in numbers of these two species from day to day suggests that some of the flocks, especially Herring-, travel back and forth between the coast and the meres, feeding and roosting at either place. 36 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Glaucous Gull {Lams hyperhoreus). An immature, probably third winter, was present from February i8th to March 4th, 1950, roosting on Thompson Water and feeding on the heaths nearby. Kittiwake {Rissa tridactyla). This species has been recorded twice. The hrst, an immature, was seen over Thompson Water on April 17th, 1948, and the second — apparently the first record for West Suffolk — an adult at West Stow sewage farm on January 3rd, 1949. This note also includes the observations of Messrs. A. L. Bull, D. V. Butt, P. R. Knipe, R. G. Pettitt and D. E. Sergeant, to all of whom the writer is indebted for information. Anthony E. Vine. INLAND BREEDING OF GREAT BACK-BACKED GULL. When visiting a large breeding colony of Lesser Black-backed Gulls {Lams fuscus) in the western Pennines on May loth, 1949, I found a Great Black-backed Gull {Lams marinus) nesting among them. I had very good views of a single adult at the nest, which contained two eggs measuring 78x53 mm. Mr. R. M. Band tells me that he saw two pairs of Great Black-backs in the same place later in the summer. At least one pair of Herring-Gulls {Lams argentatus) was also present, though breeding was not proved. The gullery is situated several hundred feet above sea-level and is more than ten miles from the nearest tidal water. Although it must be exceptional for a Great Black-back to breed so far inland in England, this seems to be only one instance of an increasing tendency for these gulls to appear inland at all seasons. J. A. G. Barnes. Greenfinch feeding on berries of berberis. — Mr. F. R. Pearson sends a record of a Greenfinch {C Moris cMoris) which he watched at Oxford on December 25th, 1949, feeding on the berries of a Berberis bush, a food item not recorded in The Handbook. Greenfinches roostini; in reed-bed. — Mr. E. M. Cawkell reports that during November, 1949, a party of 20 to 30 Greenfinches {CMoris cMoris) roosted in the reed beds at Middlebere, Poole Harbour. Such a roosting-site is not recorded in The Handbook. Siskins feeding on nettle seeds. — Mr. R. Hew.son reports that on November 25th and 28th and December ist, 1949, he watched small parties of Siskins {Carduelis spinus) feeding on the seeds of nettles {Urtica dioica) at Muir of Ord, Ross-shire. The same food, which is not recorded in The Handbook, is reported by Mr. Alex. Tewnion who watched a single male Siskin feeding on nettle seeds at Aberdeen on January 8th, 1950. Lesser Redpoll feeding from moss. — Mr. A. H. Betts reports that on November 13th, 1949, at Orpington, Kent, three Lesser Redpolls {Carduelis flammea cabaret) flew to the roof of a house, where they searched, and apparently fed from, moss growing between tlie tiles. Goldcrest eating moth.— Mr. Barry Goater reports that on March 23rd, 1950, near Chandlers Ford, Hants, he watched a Gold- VOL. XLIV.J NOTES. 37 crest {RegiUtis reguhis) eating a Noctuid moth, identified as Panolis flammea {griseo-variegata). In spite of great difficulty in accom- plishing this, the bird eventually swallowed the insect, complete with wings. The Handbook does not include Lepidoptera in the food of the Goldcrest. Firecrests in Somerset and Nottinghamshire. — We have received from Mr. A. V. Cornish a full description of a Firecrest {Rcguliis ignicapilhis) which he saw at Dunster, Somerset, on February 19th, 1950. Mr. J. Staton reports that he examined a dead Firecrest, sent to him from Hucknall, Notts, on March 25th, 1950, by Mr. Austen Dobbs. Redwings feeding on apple dumps. — Mr. Ronald B. Haynes reports that during a spell of cold weather about January 28th, 1950, he observed quite large flocks of Redwings {Idirdus musicus) with other Turdidae feeding on dumps of rotten apples at Loose, near Maidstone, Kent. This habit is not recorded in The Handbook. Redstart feeding young on hairy caterpillars. — Mr. R. H. Blown reports that a pair of Redstarts {Phcenicurus phoenicurus) watched at the nest on Underbarrow Scar, Westmorland, were seen to be feeding their eight young on hairy caterpillars, probably of the Oak-eggar Moth {Lasiocampa quercus). Merlin taking Great Spotted Woodpecker. — Mr. T. P. Wells informs us that on February 24th, 1950, he received a Merlin [Falco columbarms) which had been shot at Hutton Roof, near Kirby Lonsdale, Westmorland, while feeding on a Great Spotted Wood- pecker {Dendrocopus major). Passage of Black Terns in 1949- — We are indebted to Mr. C. B. Ashby, Editor of the London Bird Report, for the following records of Black, Terns {Chlidonias niger), supplied by various observers, which are additional to those already recorded {antea, vol. xliii pp’ 178-179); Essex. — Walthamstow Res., up to 16, May 14th-! 5th. Surrey. — Barn Elms Res., two. May 12th, n-15, May 13th- 15th, two. May 17th and 22nd ; Walton gravel pit, one, June i8th. Herts. — Aldenham Res., nine, May 14th. Middlesex.— Brent Res., one. May 13th; Staines, 3, May 3rd, one. May 4th, 1-15 daily. May iith-i5th, one. May 22nd. We have also received some additional records for Herts from Mr. A. C. Frost, who reports ten at Wilstone Res., Tring, on May 12th and on May 14th, when a separate flock of 16, already recorded, arrived in the afternoon ; he also saw 8 at a gravel pit near Rick- mansworth on May 13th. REVIEWS. Fifteenth Annual Report (1948) and Sixteenth Annual Report (1949) of the Br-iiish Trust for Ornithology. T’rico 1 'h. Obtainable from B.T.O 91, Banbury Road, Oxford. These two reports give evidence of much useful work carried on under the auspices of the British Trust for Ornitlu>log\'. Readers of British Birds will 38 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. find that parts of both reports cover familiar ground, for many of the Trust’s activities form the subject of short annual reports in our pages (e.g., the sample census of Herons) or of longer papeis (e.g., “ The opening of milk bottles by birds ”). There are, however, many other schemes to which hitherto British Birds has given less publicity. Some of these enquiries, such as the one into paper-tearing by birds, are essentially short-term ones ; others, such as the Fulmar Investigation, are repeated at regular intervals ; others have acquired a permanency comparable to that of the Ringing scheme. Of the last, the Nest-Record scheme is perhaps the largest and we are glad to note that a record number of cards was completed in 1949. Amongst the summaries of the Trust activities there appears also a report of the interesting and important work carried out at the Edward Grey Institute. A very valuable addition to both reports is the reference list for ornitho- logists, containing details of all active local societies and of the local reports now published in various parts of the countr3^ This was first included in the 1948 report, but has been revised and brought up to date in 1949. The latter report contains details of all the Bird Observatories, as well as names and addresses of the Trust's regional representatives, so that it forms a unique ornithological directory. The provision of such a directory is but one of the useful services which the Trust performs for ornithologists, and it is regrettable that membership should still be below what is considered desirable for efficient working. We heartily commend the Trust to those of our readers who are not already members of it. Full details will be found in a leaflet enclosed with this issue. B.T.O. Field Guide No. One : Trapping methods for Bird-Ringers. By P. A. D. Hollom. ajb. B.T.O. Field Guide No. Two : How to choose and use field glasses. By' E. M. Nicholson, qd. (Both obtainable from 91, Banbury Road, Oxford.) These are the first two of a series of field guides planired by- the Trust. Mr. Hollom’s guide to trapping methods for bird-ringers was prepared before the war, but has been fully revised prior to its long-delayed publication. Detailed accounts are given of more than twenty methods of trapping or netting birds for ringing purposes, and each section includes clear, simple diagrams by Mr. R. A. Richardson. Description and illustration together will enable even the most inexperienced and clumsy to construct a serviceable trap suited to his own requirements. Advice is given on the ty-pe of trap most suitable for particular conditions and a useful feature of the guide is the wide use made of the experience of ringers who have adapted well-known designs or experimented with baits. No mention is made of Continental or American methods, and if a second edition is contemplated it might include details of traps which have proved successful abroad but have not yet been tried in this country. It might also be advisable to give more explicit advice on the dimensions of the wood to be used in the framework of some of the traps. Mr. Nicholson’s guide to the choice and use of field glasses appears at an opportune moment when many new bird-watchers are acquiring oprical aids. It is to be hoped that they will digest Mr. Nicholson’s advice before embarking on an expensive purchase. He tells them everything they need to know, except the precise model to buy, which he cannot do as the Trust is not an advertising agency. JHAV. LOCAL REPORTS. The London Bird Report, 1947 and 1948. An outstanding feature of these two reports is that over 200 observers have contributed records in each year. This presents a formidable task to the Editorial Committee who are to be congratulated on producing from this mass of material reports which will be of interest to many besides thost* resident within twenty miles of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Many of the records of rarities, such as the Crested Lark in 1947 and the Pratincole in 1948, or of unusual events in the area concerned, such as the VOL. XLIV.] REVIEWS. 39 breeding of Wood-Lark in Essex in 1947 and the occurrence of Razorbills on the Thames in 1948, have been recorded already in our pages ; but there remains a large number of other records of more than local interest. Many of these, as would be expected, concern ducks, waders and gulls at the reser- voirs and sewage farms, amongst them Velvet Scoter in 1947 and again in some numbers in 1948, Little and Glaucous Gulls in both years, an Arctic Skua and unusual numbers of Garganey in 194^ » ^ record of a Ferruginous Duck in 1947 is perhaps wisely square-bracketed on the ground that the bird maj^ have been an escape, though subsequent experience suggests that it may have been a wild bird. There are records of Golden Oriole and Great Grey Shrike in both years, and the London area shared in the “invasion” of Quail in 1947, for which year there is a breeding record for Herts. In 1948 a bird that seems to have been either an Icterine or a Melodious Warbler was recorded in Epping Forest and there are several observations of variant Yellow Wagtails, mostly at Staines, in the same year. A Yellow Wagtail on October i6th, 1947, and a Hobby on November 9th in the same year are both unusually late. Records of migratory movements of Jays and Kestrels in 1947 are also of interest. The annotated list of species is followed in both Reports by papers on a variety of subjects. Both contain full details of the population of Black Redstarts and a summary of the census of Great Crested Grebes. The 1948 Report concludes with a classified list of notes and papers published in the London Naturalist or the London Bird Report since 1916. A paper by Dr. E. O. Hdhn in the 1947 Report gives some details of the food and feeding movements of London Mallards, while Mr. S. Cramp contributes to the 1948 Report an interesting comparative survey of the birds of Kensington Gardens and Regents Park. The 1947 Report concludes with a paper by Mr. C. B. Ashby on the effects of the cold spell, most interesting of which in the London area was the influence on the duck population. The freezing of ponds and even of the larger reservoirs produced some remarkable concentrations of ducks on the few waters remaining open, notably Walton reservoir, where the mixed flock of Pochard and Tufted Duck reached 5-6,000 at the beginnin°- of March and a flock of over 500 Goosanders was twice recorded. These figures are of interest for comparison with those given by Mr. R. C. Homes in a paper in the 1948 Report summarizing the results of the winter censuses of ducks. London ornithologists are pioneers in this work and though, as Mr. Homes points out, it is still too early to draw definite conclusions, it is clear that much useful information on winter numbers and passage movements is being accumulated. t j) w BOOKS RECEIVED. Flamingo City. By G. K. Yeates. (Country Life, 25 /-). Birds and Men. By E M. Nicholson. (Collins, 2 1 /-) . The Sarawak Museum Journal {Nol.Y, No. 2, September, 1950). (Govern- ment Printing Office, Kuching, Sarawak; $6.00 Straits). LETTERS. SUFFOLK BIRD REPORT To the Editors of British Birds Sirs, — An annual report for the County of Suffolk is to be published, beginning with 1950, and I would be grateful if any of your readers who may have records of observations made in Suffolk in this or subsequent years would be good enough to send them to me, as Editor. p. r. Westall Boxbush, Walberswick, Southwold, Suffolk. [We welcome Dr. Westall’s proposal to produce an annual report for this important county, of which, hitherto, parts only have been covered in the reports of the Lowestoft Field Club, Cambridge Bird Club, and the Royal 4U BRITISH BIRDS. [VOl . XLIV. Society for the Protection of Birds. We are glad to learn that these societies have piomised to co-operate by supplying records from their respective areas for the new report on the county as a whole. — Eds.] THE MANDARIN DUCK IN BRITAIN To the Editors of British Birds Sirs, — I am conducting an enquiry into the history and present status of the Mandarin Duck {Aix galeviculata) in this country and would be grateful for the assistance of your readers. In recent years this beautiful duck has established itself in parts of Surrey and Berkshiie, where numbers breed freely and behave, to all intents and purposes, as wild birds. Needless to say, this colony derives from birds which escaped from captivity, but it seems desirable to trace its history before early bleeding records are forgotten, a thing which may happen very easily with a bird which is too often dismissed as an “ escape ”. I would therefore welcome records of the breeding or occurrence of Mandarin Ducks for any year and for any locality, other than Virginia Water for which I have satisfactory records. I would also welcome information which might help me to trace the sources of this colonization. Bluebell Wood, Wentworth, Sur rey. C. D. W. Savage. A GATHERING CAGE EOR A BIRD TRAP To the Editors of British Birds Sirs, — The usual form of gathering cage employed to recover a bird from a ringing trap is somewhat difficult to make and fit. I have used the following for some years, mainly tor Starlings, and find it easy to manipulate. A funnel leading outwards, without a base and with a small exit, is wired permanently to a bottom corner of the trap. Fitting over the exit of the funnel, and overlapping by some two inches, is a gathering cage of small- meshed wire, which need not have a wooden framework. Alternatively, it may be made of softer material. The end of the cage .should, of course, be a few inches wider than the entrance into it. When the bird has been driven through the funnel into the cage, it rareiv finds its way back, and the cage can be slid off the funnel and its entrance stopped by a hand. If a second bird is in the trap, the end of the funnel can be temporarily stopped with a handkerchief. The bird is frequently in the cage before the ringer reaches the trap, within a few seconds. C. U. Collenette. DlSABLEMPN'l'-Rli.VCTlONS OF TRAPPED BIRDS To the Editors of British Birds Sirs,— In an editorial comment on notes dealing with the abo\-e topic [antea, vol. xliii, p. 254), and in particular on one by L. A. Cowcill, you suggest that the well-known tendency for small birds to remain immobile on the open hand maj'’ possibly be “ mcrel}^ a less intensified form of the more extreme trance-like states referred to as ‘ feigning death The following experience of mine may strengthen this supposition, the behaviour observed being somewhat intermediate between the two extremes. During the 1950 spring trapping at the Fayid Bird Observatory (Eg^'pt) I caught a male Spanish Sparrow {Passer hispaniolensis) and, after ringing it, opened my hand to see how long the bird would remain there when unrestrained. It lav there for some two minutes gradually stiffening until its back rose clear of my palm, and the sparrow lay in a rigid arc, supported by head and rump, until it was finally induced to fly by some slight movement of mine. Its eyes were open all the while. jr p Simmons. fi|iHuHA8S0 Temnunck s Stint in Cambridge in March (A. S. Thom and Miss K. Crackles) Flocking of Common Sandpiper (P. I. R. Maclaren) Common Sandpiper nesting on rock on sea-shore (Miss M. D. Crosby) Lapwing nesting on shingle beach (Miss M. D. Crosby) Adult behaviour patterns occurring in the juvenile Oyster-catcher (Kenneth Williamson) " Paddling ” action of Sandwich Terns (Geoffrey Boyie) . . ! . The status of gulls in Breckland (Anthony E. Vine) Inland breeding of Great Black-backed Gull (J. A. G. Barnes) Short Notes : — Greenfinch feeding on berries of berberris. Greenfinches roosting in reed-bed. Siskins feeding on nettle seeds. Lesser Redpoll feeding from moss. Firecrests in Somerset and Nottinghamshire. Red- wings feeding on apple dumps. Redstart feeding young on hairy caterpillars. Merlin taking Great Spotted Woodpecker. Passage of Black Terns in 1949. Reviews : — Fifteenth Annual Report (1948) and Sixteenth Annual Report (1949) of the British Trust for Ornithology , . B.T.O. Field Guide No. One: Trapping methods for Bird-Rineers. By P. A. D. Hollom . . .... B.T.O. Field Guide No. Two: How to choose and use field glasses. By E. M. Nicholson The London Bird Report, 1947 and 1948 Books Received Letters ; — Suffolk Bird Report (Dr. P. R. Westall) The Mandarin Duck in Britain (C. D. W. Savage) A gathering cage for a bird trap (C. L. Collenette) . . . . ! ! Disablement-reactions of trapoed birds (K. E. L. Simmons) Page 31 31 32 32 33 34 34 36 36 37 37 38 38 39 39 40 40 40 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION If you have not already renewed your subscription to Rritish Birds for 1951, the publishers would be grateful to hear if you wish to continue to receive the maga- zine. Cheques or Postal Orders (for £1 Is. Od) should be made payable to H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. and, if possible, should be accompanied by the numbered renewal form which was enclosed with your copy of the November issue. SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS 9/- for 3 lines (minimum) ; 3/- for each extra line or part thereof. For the use of a Box Number there is an extra charge of I /-; Advertisements for a particular issue should reach this office by the 21 st of the preceding month. All communications to be addressed to: — H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd., 5, Warwick Court, London, W.C. I. ^ perfectly appointed, ideally-sized house, at Walberswick, on the N.E. Suffolk coast, within walking distance of some of the finest marshes on the E. coast, with a beautiful view of the coast. Box No. 391, British Birds 5, Warwick Court, London, W.C.I. ’ VALUABLE Birds Eggs skilfully repaired. Also other delicate Collectors' Speci- mens, China Figures, etc. Infinite pains taken for perfect results. A. Pearman, ■43, The Ridge, Purley, Surrey. SHETLAND, Charming furnished 4-room cottage (sleeps 4) at Baltasound, Unst, to let any period May, June, July. Terms most moderate Box No. 392, British Birds, 5, Warwick Court, London, W.C.I. ATTENTION ALL BIRD LOVERS: Unique opportunity for Ornithologists and Naturalists. 8, 12 and 14 Day Cruises by comfortable 6-berth Cabin Cruiser to Western Isles and Lochs. Tariff from 10 to 38 guineas. Details from Blue Water Cruises Ltd., 68, Gordon Street, Glasgow, C.l. SKOKHOLM BIRD OBSERVATORY ; All facilities are provided for. bird watchers and other naturalists to study and/or assist with the work of the observatory. The price per week has not been increased above 4 guineas. Enquiries to Warden, Dale Fort Field Centre, Haverfordwest, Pembs. •k 2 volumes 30s. net it 1,212 pages it Over 1,000 photographs it 24 colour plates BIRDS OF OUR COUNTRY ,ifui ©/ t/tf Domifuonf, Co/onuf jnd Drrntdfnciei, Thitr Life, hggs. Nests and iJentifeation. Edited by David Seth -Smith Ftrmtr Curator London ZoologUa! Society. Anew edition of Birds of Our Country, long recognised as a standard work of reference. With its 1,173 photographs and 24 coloured plates it is at its price (30s. the set of 2 volumes), the most comprehensive and useful book of its kind now available. Fully indexed. 30s. net. PUBLISHED BY HUTCHINSON Touch of the Sun JAMES CAMERON’S experiences as a world correspondent. “ Really first class descriptive writing ... He is a vastly entertaining guide ” — Manchester Evening News Demy 8vo 15/- net The British Sheepdog by SYDNEY MOORHOUSE ‘‘ Destined to be a classic book of its kind ” — Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Demy 8vo 12/6 net Published by H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. Printed in Gt. Britain by The Riverside Press, Ltd., Twickenham, Middx. Published by H. T'. & G. WITHERBY, LTD., 6 Warwick Court, W.C.I, BRITISH BIRDS AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY TO THE BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST Monthh 2.C. 7" early 21s. FEBRUARY, 1951 6 1 — 1 c Puhlisked by H. F. U' G. JVitherhx Ltd. BRITISH BIRDS EDITORS. .A. VV. BoYU, M.C., M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Norman F. Ticehurst, o.b.e., m.a., f.r.c.s., m.b.o.u. J. D. Wood, b.a., m.b.o.u. Contents of Number 2, Vol. XLIV, February, 1951. PAGE Obituary : Bernard William Tucker (1901-1950) ... ... ... 41 Notes on the breeding habits of the Swift. By A. S. Cutcliffe ... 47 The effect of a snow-storm on breeding birds. By John Ash ... ... 57 Notes : — Trances of trapped Starlings (W. T. C. Rankin) ... ... ... 59 -Abnormal bill of Starling (W. H. Dady) ... ... ... ... 60 Unusual behaviour of Starlings at nesting-site (Edwin Cohen) ... 60 Unrecorded note of Scottish Cro.ssbill (,\lex Tewnion) 60 Unusual song of Chaffinch (S. Vere Benson) ... ... ... ... 61 Shore-Lark in Co. Dublin (F. W. Fox) 61 Display of Pied Wagtail (Charles H. Cooke ; I. Nisbet and W. A. Eltis) 62 Woodchat Shrikes in Cornwall, Pembrokeshire and Co. Wexford (J. E. Beckerlegge ; P. J. Conder and Joan Keighley ; R. S. Pollard) 63 Spotted Flycatchers building in Chaffinch's nests (William Johnson) 64 Mortality of Chiffchaffs in a snow-storm in Pembrokeshire. (A. K. Kent) 5^ The leg-colouration of the Willow- Warbler (Edwin Cohen) 65 Swallows and House-Martins alighting on the ground to feed (K. G. Spencer ; M. A. Arnold) ... ... ... ... ... ... 95 •Marsh-Harriers in Dorset, Warwickshire and E.ssex (T. Bispham ; M. J. Rogers, J. R. Rawsthorne, W. Wolton ; G. A. Pyman) ...’ 65 Abnormal behaviour of Mallard (John McMeeking) 66 Voice of the Tufted Duck (E. H. Gillham) ... ... ... ... 67 Voice of the Common Scoter (E. H. Gillham) 67 Gannets, Black Terns and Herring-Gulls accompanying porpoises (J. Stafford) 9^ Wood-Pigeon mobbed by Swallows (B. L. Sage) 68 Autumn display of Dunlin (M. R. K. Plaxton) 68 Sabine's Gull in Essex (R. B Warren) ... ... ... ... 69 Black-headed Gull dropping and catching object in bill (A. C. C. Hervey) ' 69 Display of Razorbills (Seton Gordon) 70 The Northern Guillemot on Ailsa Craig (J. A. Gibson) ... 70 Short Notes : — Unusual accumulation of nest-materials by Starling. Early breed- ing of Tree-Creeper. Robin feeding on ivy berries. Tawny Owl taking Goldcrest. Eiders off coast of Kent. Black Tern plunging into water. Early juvenile Kittiwakes off Isle of Wight. Late Pomatorhine Skua in Cornwall ... ... ... ... . 75 Review : — Skokhnlm Bird Observatory lieports, ro.io-46, T047, 1948, 1949 ... 72 Bernard William Tucker. BRITISH BIRDS Number 2, Vol. XLIV, February^ 1951- OBITUARY. Bernard William Tucker (igoi-1950). It is not much over ten years since Harry Witherby called Bernard Tucker to assist him with the editing- of this Magazine after the death of F. C. R. Jourdain, and it is little more than seven years since, on Harry Witherby ’s own death, the editorial responsibility passed to Tucker in the middle of the second world war. On that occasion Tucker wrote with justice that it would be idle to pretend that anyone could adequately fill Witherby ’s place yet 1 ucker himself was, by common consent, by far the most nearly qualified to do so. In his early forties, already possessing a broad and deep knowledge of ornithology in the field, the laboratory and the museum, and imbued with the traditions of his seniors, with whom he had successfully completed the new Handbook, Tucker seemed destined to continue and to develop their work. Yet only a few years after he took on the editorship, the first signs appeared of his grim and protracted battle against the illness which was to carry him off so prematurely and with so much suffering, to which he refused to give in. Even in hospital he could be found with his bed strewn with galley-proofs of British Birds, in which every misprint had been corrected, every missing comma inserted', and any departure from the^ standard practice of the Magazine made good. He remained almost to the end as eager as ever to hear of inter- esting occurrences, and as late as September 15th, 1950, he showed the greatest zest on a long field expedition to Staines to see a Sabine’s Gull. It left him exhausted, but he said he would not have missed it for anything. Slight in build and stature, gentle and unassuming in manner, mistrustful of unqualified statements and of snap judgments, Bernard Tucker by no means conveyed to a stranger an adequate impression of the vigour, the clear, firm judgment, the under- standing of people and the all-round capacity which his achievements show him to have possessed. Many lesser men have attained greater public status and won more recognition. Outstanding in knowledge, and mature in discrimination, he never lost some traces of an attractive school-boyishness of manner and expression. Some carefully weighed judgment would be followed by an invitation to say whether it was “all rot’’, or an excursion yielding important new knowledge on some difficult point of bird behaviour or identification would be recorded as 42 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. having- been curtailed because the weather had grown “too foul”. It was perhaps this blend of being very wise and yet essentially young in outlook and enthusiasm which was the secret of his lasting influence on successive generations of students who have carried his methods and standards as far afield as New Zealand and Tristan da Cunha, Canada and East Africa. His width of sympathies and generosity of mind were remarkable, yet he applied in all scientific matters the strictest standards both to himself and to others, being satisfied only with the highest attain- able degree of proof. Bernard W illiam 1 ucker, son of William and Constance Susan Tucker, was born at Nawthaw, Hertfordshire, on January 22nd, 1901. Not long afterwards the family moved to Chewton Mendip in Somerset, and it was here that Bernard Tucker grew up. At an early age he became interested in all branches of Natural History, and at one time botany claimed nearly as much of his interest as did zoology. He became a keen bird-watcher as a schoolboy. A Nightjar’s nest and two eggs which he found on 1 resco in June, i9i4» seems to have been the only definite breeding record for Scilly until quite recently (British Birds, Vol. xxxix, p. ii) and by 1918 he began publishing an extensive and careful List of the Birds of Chewton Mendip and District in successive annual reports of the Wells Natural History and Archajological Society. His interest in the county where he spent these early years never waned, and he remained to the end an active member of the Ornithological Section of the Somerset Archccological and Natural History Society whose meetings at Taunton he attended regularly. He was on the Editorial Committee from and was Vice-President also from 1931. At the beginning of 1930 he was elected President in succession to the Re\-. F. L. Blathwayt. On leaving Harrow, he became a demy of Magdalen in 1919, taking his B.A. with first class Honours in Zoology in 1923. At this time his interest in reptiles matched his interest in birds, and, according- to one who shared lodgings with him at this period, it was nothing- extraordinary to find escaped snakes and lizards at large in them. Going out to Naples as Oxford Scholar in 1924 he worked for a time on marine biology, but without losing his ruling passion for birds, and after a brief spell as a Demonstrator in Zoology at Cambridge in 1925-26 he returned to Oxford permanently in 1926, becoming University Demonstrator and Lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy. He became one of the foremost authorities on vertebrate comparative anatomy, and, ii-i addition to his work as demonstrator, lecturer and tutor, was a valued member of many University committees. In k)44-47 he held a Research VOL. XLIV.] BERNARD WILLIAM TUCKER. 43 Fellowship at Queen s, and in 1946 he became Reader in Ornitholog-y, the first in any British University. AVhile working at Naples he met his future wife, Gladys Allen, whose father had settled in Italy for health reasons. 1 hey were married on July nth, 1925. Her husband’s constant companion, Gladys Tucker accompanied him on many of his long ornithological expeditions and, though not herself expert in ornithology, shared to the full in all his interests and enthusiasms. In the last year or so of lucker’s life, their partnership became, if possible, even closer, when it was Mrs. Tucker’s tragic duty to prevent her husband from over-working and at the same time to keep him in ignorance of the true nature of his illness, a secret which for many months she kept almost entirely to herself. Although his personal contribution to Ornithology was so great, the bulk of it was made in such close collaboration with others that it is not easy to disentangle. His work as Editor of this Magazine, his share of The Handbook, his part in the establishment of the British Trust for Ornithology at Oxford, his researches on the nature of species and subspecies cannot be adequately measured by the relatively limited contributions which bear his name or initials. The effective leadership and editorship of records for the Oxford Ornithological Society rested with him for the greater part of 30 years ; during those years the society under his inspiration carried out a great volume of pioneering work in the fields of bird distribution, bird census, ecology, bird-marking and trapping, and he led large organised expeditions to areas as remote as Islay, Texel and the Camargue. To give one more easily overlooked example, much of...^the success of the Eighth International Ornithological Congress at Oxford in 1934 was due to Tucker, its Treasurer and the only one of its officers resident on the spot, who also served as secretary of its Reception Committee. As Editor of this Magazine Tucker was troubled by unusual production and other difficulties during and after the war which were all the more tiresome to cope with owing to his ill-health and to the fact that, unlike his predecessor, he was working at a distance from the office. Nevertheless, while strictly maintain- ing the general standard and character of British Birds he introduced a number of improvements, particularly an index corresponding with the calendar year, and a series of photographs of the highest standard illustrating the appearance of birds rarely observed in the British Isles, and such subjects as display, which are better recorded in pictures than in words. To the very end, he retained full responsibility for these plates which 44 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. have become such a valued feature of the Mag-azine. Only a week after a serious operation at the beg-inning- of November, 1950, he was eag-erly discussing: plans for further additions to the series, and the last of his many contributions appeared a few days after his death. He encourag-ed observers to supply the fullest supporting" evidence for sig'ht records of rare species, and in January, 1949, he discontinued the use of trinomials except for gfeog'raphical races clearly disting'uishable m the field — a decision which he justified and explained in his last important publication, the article on Species and Subspecies (Brit. Birds, Vol. xlii, pp. 129-134, 161-174 I93--05-) It was however, in preparing the sections on Habitat, Field- Characters and General Habits and Voice in the Handbook of British Birds, and in his contributions on Display and Posturing- and other matters that his greatest and most enduring work was done. Ihe main burden of dealing' with the beliaviour and appearance of every species of British bird in the field fell upon him, and excellent as the entire Handbook is, it can be safely be said that it is in the sections for which he was responsible, that the improvement on the previous Practical Handbook, and in fact, on all previous ornithological books produced in this country, is most marked. To work on the proofs of The Handbook with Harry Witherby and Bernard Tucker was to experience a standard of care and thoroughness rarely surpassed in any human undertaking. In pursuit of material for the field sections of The Handbook Tucker added greatly to an already wide range of ornithological journeys, reading and correspondence. Much of his other published work is far less widely known. His papers on the Herons and the Rookeries of Somerset, and on the Great Crested Grebe in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire appeared in local journals; a paper on the head plumage of the Willow-Tit was published in Proc. Zool. Soc. ; even less well known to British ornithologists are his contributions to Bent’s Life Histories of North American Birds, dealing willi European species which have occurred in America as vagrants. His accounts of Redwing, Fieldfare and Blackbird are probablv the best ever written on those species. In 1923 Tucker assisted F. C. R. Jourdain in editing a Report on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berksliire and Buckinghamshire 1915-22, and after Jourdain left the district in 1925 Tucker took over and greatly developed the work, being largel}' responsible for the initiation of the Oxford Bird Census in 1927, for its evolution during 1930-31 into the Oxford University Research in VOL. XLiv.] BERNARD WILLIAM TUCKER. 45 Economic Ornitholog:y, and subsequently for the important Oxford share m the launching- of the British Trust for Ormtholog-y m 1932-33 and the foundation of what is now the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornitholog-y. A fuller account of his part m these affairs will be appearing- in the next Annual eport of the British 1 rust for Ornitholog-y. Among- his most important contributions were his devoted work as Treasurer in the most difficult early days, his unremitting- interest in the work of the scientific advisory committee, and his peculiarly personal influence in bridging- the gulfs between those most at home in the museum, laboratory or library and those who find themselves in their element only in the field. During and immediately after the war he set himself to safeguard and consolidate the post-war position of the Edward Grey Institute in the University, and it was mainly due to his tireless exertions that advantage was taken of tne increased post-war level of University Grant from the Exchequer to place the University status and finances of the Institute on a much firmer footing, and to bring it within the newly created Oxford University Department of Zoological Field Studies. He 1.00k a most active part in developing teamwork in research, although during the past few years he tended to lay more stress on the dangers of careless use of the method and on the dearth of experienced and competent organisers available since 1939 for inquiries of this type. He was three times a member of the Council of the British Trust for Ornithology and was its senior Vice-Chairman at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Committee of The British Ornithologists’ Union iq^^-iq^b and Vice-President 1947-49. He became in 1921 the first Honorary Secretary of the newly- founded Oxford Ornithological Society, the model and pioneer of local ornithological societies, and served as its Vice-President from 1926-34, and its President from 1934-50. Whatever his office, he was always the moving spirit. He was also a founding member of the Cambridge Bird Club, and an active member of the ornithological section of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society, being President in 1950. In 1922 he accompanied F. C. R. Jourdain as an ornithologist on the memor- able Oxford University Expedition to Spitsbergen, and he studied birds in many other parts of Europe, working in Italy in 1924, 1927; 1928 and 1932, and making visits to the Camargue in 1932 and 1938, Heligoland in 1933, Spain and Holland in 1935, Sweden in 1947 and elsewhere, besides investigating Shetland, Islay, the Cairngorms, Lundy, Donegal and other ornithologically interesting outlying areas of the British Isles. 46 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XL IV. From this record there emerges some reflection of the achieve- ment of one of the most talented and devoted ornithologists of his time, whose constructive and many-sided influence will long outlast him. Always ready for hard tough pioneering, and open to new ideas and experiences, he possessed the judgment, the caution and the practical sense to avoid rash leaps and" to consoli- date thoroughly and methodically as he went along. He was the least dramatic of men, but he did much to bring about a revolution in ornithology and to g'uard it against the reaction which awaits a revolution if it goes too far and too fast. E.M.N. & J.D.W. (47) NOTES ON THE BREEDING HABITS OF THE SWIFT BY A. S. CuTCLIFFE. During the years 1944-1949 some 250 visits were made to the tower of SS. PhilijD and James Church, Ilfracombe, Devon, in order to study the breeding- habits of the Swift {Apus apus). These visits were made at hours rang:ing- from 6.00 to 24.00, B.S.T. The nests are situated above the bells at a height of 80 feet from ground level. Under the eaves of the tower on the east and west sides are a number of holes through the wall, some of which are occupied in early spring by nesting House-Sparrows [Passer domesUcus) w-hich the Swifts expel when they arrive, using these and any unoccupied apertures for breeding purposes. In this way the new arrivals find ready-made nests to which they add such materials as they desire. One such nest contained three eggs laid by the sparrow owner before being evicted. The nests on the north and south sides of the church tower are situated between two beams on the top of the main wall inside the tower. These nests are made entirely by the Swifts. The entrance to all the latter is through an opening about three inches high, running along the whole width of the tower. Fourteen nesting sites ha\ e been used by breeding Swifts during the period of these observa- tions. though not all have been occujDied in any one year. For the purpose of easy identification the nests were numbered from I to 14. The first observations were made in July, 1944, when it was seen that the nesting area was littered with skeletons of Swifts, the casualties of past years, no fewer than 38 complete skeletons, mostly of young birds, being counted. Many bones of other dead were scattered about. The'nests and the surroundings contained many dark brown egg-capsules which were later identified as those of the two-winged fly Cyatesrhina pallida, a blood-sucking insect of which further mention will be made. The bases of the nests are constructed of hay, straw etc., the shallow cups being formed chiefly of small white feathers identi- fied as coming from gulls which abound in the district. Pieces of red and blue string and a fragment of red-coloured tinfoil were also found amongst the nesting materials. On one occasion a Swift was seen to steal nesting material from a sparrow’s nest in a neighbouring building, despite the protesting occupant. Feathers from sparrows have been found mixed Avith the white lining of the nest cups. Agglutinated feathers were brought to the nests. These had been nibbled by the adults before being added and it was also observed that material of this kind was used even after the eggs were laid. The dates of arrival at the tower and other particulars of the first migrant Swifts seen during the period under review are as follows : 48 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Dates ETC. OE First Arrivals. Year Month Date Time No. of Swifts Wind direction 1942 ■April 27 7 a.m. I A'ariable, light 1944 May 7 8 a.m. N.E., light 1945 M ay 6 8 p.m. 2 Variable, light 1946 May 3 8 a.m. 10 liiasl. fresh 1947 May 7 9 p.m. i South, light 1948 May 9 6.40 p.m. 2 East, light 1949 May 10 6.30 a.m. 3 Variable, light Note. The church tower is thirty yards from 1 the recorder’s residence and as a sharp look-out is kept for spring arrivals the above data cun be considered perfectly reliable. The arrivals in 1948 were so interesting" that details are g'iven : On May 9th, at 16.30, the first Swift of the year was seen flying" northwards along" a valley at Combe Martin, 'five miles east of Ilfracombe. Two, coming from the south, turned east on reaching the coast and continued in that direction. At 17.30 another two were seen flying eastwards near Ilfracombe. At 18.30 the writer was on Capstone Hill — ^about 200 yards from the church tower — and at 18.40 watched four Swifts arrive from the zvest. They started circling the town, flying at about five-to-six-hundred feet. At 18.45 two of the four broke away and continued east- wards along the coast. At 18.50 five Swifts arrived from the west and, joining the two which had not flown east, the seven circled high over the town. Presently they confined themselves to flights near the church tower. At times the birds raised their wings above their bodies, thus losing height, until, at 19.00 they were flying around the tower at the level of the narrow entrance to the nesting sites. They began to enter the tower and bv 20.20 the last of the seven had gone inside. During the ten or twelve days folloAving the first arrivals some of the nests were usually occupied by one bird only. In a few cases I had reason to suspect that the birds were males. On one occasion two Swifts were found in a nest on the night of their arrival, both fast asleep. Coition was witnessed on a few occasions at the nesting site, the female clinging vertically to a beam. It is suspected to have occurred in the nest, but has not been clearly seen. Simulated coition has been observed many times while the birds were in flight in late July by which time most nests contain young birds. Possibly non-breeding birds were inA'olved, but this was not established. Each year a number of non-breeding birds is present in the tower. In 1949 six non-breeders helped to n"iake up the colony of 20 adult Swifts. The non-breeders arrive in early May and nightly occupy a nest throughout the breeding-season, usually in pairs. One such couple, ringed in 1948, returned in 1949 and bred, using the nest in which they had been ringed. 'Fhe first eggs are laid about the last week in May as a general rule, but in 1949 an egg was laid on June 28th and it is known that in 1945 laying occurred on approximately July 6lh. VOL. XLiv.] BREEDING HABITS OF SWIFT. 49 53 f«» s: O' rJH in « ^ . O s V c. o S: ^ cr- CZ5 Q t: 5d S tn -u 4:; o -^3 ^ c ^ -8 bjD.9 ^ ^■B’o £ S cfi c c. OJ G HJ u qj S £ o <-SO.S b/3 c ’ iI5 3 'O m G £ 3 c C« ^ ■~' GjJ > (U -G cc ^ O ■ 4-1 'V tu 3 o o o OJ C O 3 ^ 8^ G S o'^ o m .3 tC ^ ^ ^ -M > ^oc o 5 ' 3- 3 2 3- G c3 Cl 10 Tt“ Cl VO ri“ C^ Cl i:^ Cr\ 00 G\ CL - I £ 4-14-1'^ lAl (A1 G CJ qj G> ^ .0 OX' .4^ C c/5 o bjo o x: ^ 0) -p S O 3 OJ -3 0) C 2 G 0-- O 9 o qj qj qj . 'S.'a 3 3 o o U O ’V 000 o c in On t'l I o) 3 e b/: 3 "C 3 C/] 3 C O b/} o fC bjD .M 4-1 5 V5 t/5 V, O 3 qj qj G ^ ^ > ■£ tu tc c/1 Gi! o p 3 i Gi -v ^ qj o C s> C3 O 0. ; w C Cl a QJ ^ 2 £ R J- o C-) OJ r- ci o o •4-* bjo c/2 j;: c ^ (U o 4-1 Zj "o 3 .C u O c/3 b>D b/} ■ CJ O 4J O 3 b/) o b/) D biO r* . — Q * ^ * r" & V 03 cc o c/2 V .R (-* T3 4— > o *0? u S c/2 o 3> , bx r; 4.: aj c/3 3 r-i " ^ o bjo“ J:! O bn~ T- OJ -3300X30^3 e-i<:cQ.SH ^ 300 . 72 f~ 2 G Cl cs 0 n3 3; i -J- > r> *4" V, T 03 -C;. S5.2 c?. -Cc- Ct nr P c — c >✓« Cl c 0 nil 0 c c nil Ch 3t< 03 3! t: 1 s 04 :r Cl r“ r; Q ■p f— 0 t.-. 1 03 3--, I I ^ D o > C/3'g .5 o u c3 Cl, ^ ^ O ^) '*-> > o > - 8 -o OJ > -a o ■ o bjo S-, bn 3 o 00 c^ (ys c^ CO ^945 2 ml 2 nil 2 nil not Two chicks flew in August. known 52 BRITISH BIRDS. [vOL. XLIV. ts C:: I O' H . O "ts ■^So.2 ^ «J n> o Q S 2 oi < ■ o u C4 11' r ^ . H -5 (n ^ >H ccj < 5! S’ So"® ’ D C/3 o '■ir X 3 bjix: 3 3 > 3 OJ O q3 '+H X .9 3 o V OJ X 3 b/3 3 < C3 X P <3 ... X 3 ™ C o ^ C r-* V o TJ n: (i) -4-t c c ^ n 3 oj 'll; u V (/5 u 0 1 '-O S 5 O OJ (i) o -. O 3 C "O o VO 0^ ro n O o rr O (“■ O C 3 3^; c c (N M CO a\ 00 Tt- C\ 00 CO CO OV CV b/) 'n 3 o:: •TO V X CJ b/j-S b/)1^ O (1) > X 3 "O 3 C aj ^a£ < 5 ^ to vo r^oo cv o T Mr. H. Fisher and the writer obserAed a Marsh-Harrier on a reed-fring'ed area of Abberton Reser\oir, Essex. The bird was an immature male possessing much yellowish-buff on the head but otherwise a rich brown plumage throughout. During the half-hour in which the harrier was under observation it was seen to be mobbed, in turn, by Carrion Crows {Corvus corone), Lapwings (VaneJlus vanellus), a Black-headed Gull {Lams ridibundus) and a pair of Common Terns {Sterna hiritndo). This species, to the best of the writer’s knowledge, has not been reported from Essex for some years. G. A. Pyman. ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR OF MALLARD. Editorial comment on a note on the diving of Shovelers {Spatula clypeata) {antea, vol. xliii, p. ig), and reference to Mr. T. Lebret’s note on the “dividing-play” of surface-feeding duck vol. xli, p. 247), lead me to describe the abnormal behaviour of a drake Mallard {Anas platyrhyncha), which was observed on March 4th, 1950. The bird was with another drake and a duck, on a quiet backwater of the River Cherwell in Oxford, and was watched for twenty minutes around 9-3®' Attention was drawn to it when it dived violently and remained submerged for some seconds. This was followed by vigorous preening, interrupted by “somersaults” on the surface of the water, which were checked when the bird was on its back by half spreading the wings. The half-spread wings were then flapped hard as it rolled into an upright position and half raised itself from the water. This procedure continued with gradually abating violence, and with more dives, bouts of “up-ending” and head-dipping, and periods of gentler preening in the shallows near the bank, during the whole period of observation. The only reaction of the other birds, which were preening and feeding quietly in the shallows, was a slight intensification of preening when the first drake came into the shallows to preen during a lull in its own activity. .None of the behaviour-patterns mentioned by Mr. Lebret appears to fit this “somersaulting”, and I can suggest no explanation which is fully satisfactory. VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 67 On March ist, 1950, abnormal behaviour of another type was observed when a pair and a duck were on a gravel path in the same area ; the mated female was attacking the other duck, nibbling her flanks, and chasing her; finally she rushed at her and drove her to flight. There is no direct reference to such pronounced aggressive behaviour in The Handbook. John M. McMeeking. [The behaviour described by Mr. McMeeking may have been a display, but it bears a cIosg resemblance to the bathing behaviour recorded [antea, vol. xliii, p. 303) in Mute Swans [Cygniis olor). In connexion with this latter record, Mr. J. A. Anderson has written to us as follows: “Such behaviour is normal in swans, geese and ducks. From my own observations I should say that somersaulting only occurs during the elaborate type of washing- described. This very thorough washing, when the feathers are fully fluffed out, takes place only occasionally and usually in fine weather. Flocks of ducks sometimes do it together and the noise of their wings beating the water can be heard at a considerable distance’’. — Eds. ] VOICE OF THE TUFTED DUCK. On February 13th, 1950, I was watching Tufted Ducks [Aythya fidigitla) at very close quarters and saw some six adult males together. As the locality is one where they are fed regularly they appeared to be waiting expectantly for food. Suddenly most, if not all of them, gave their soft, liquid whistle several times. The Handbook refers to this as a breeding season call. E. H. Gillham. [Mr. Gillham ’s note has been shown to Mr. Peter Scott who states that Tufted Ducks in the Severn Wildfowl Trust’s collection use this call in similar circumstances, and on other occasions, at least as early as February and probably much earlier. Many notes held to be typical of the breeding season may be heard at any time after the beginning of breeding behaviour, which takes place when the birds are still in winter flocks. The Pochard {Ay thy a ferina) uses its analogous call quite early in the year.^ — Eds.] VOICE OF THE COMMON SCOTER. On March 17th, 1935, I was able to watch a storm-driven female Common Scoter {Melanitta nigra) for some time on a narrow ditch at a distance of about ten feet. While on the surface it had an uneasy dipping action with its head, and called several times a wheezy double-syllabled “kre-enk’’ This call was not unlike the noise made by an unoiled hinge of a heavy door. No such call is mentioned in The Handbook. E. H. Gillham. GANNETS, BLACK TERNS AND HERRING-GULLS ACCOMPANYING PORPOISES. On August 27th, 1949, on board a ship in the English Channel, I observed si-nall flocks of Herring-Gulls {Larus argentatus), 68 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Black Terns {Chlidonias niger) and Gannets {Sula hassana) accompanying" schools of porpoises (Phoccena communis) as follows: — 14.30 Ca. 40 Herring-.Gulls, 5 Blaek Terns and i juvenile Gannet, circling" low over a school of porpoises, in a fairly compact flock. The porpoises were travelling along m their usual manner, leaping in and out of the water, and the birds moved along with them. The o-ulls were swooping down as if to attack the porpoises,*"and they approached very closely to them, but neither the gulls nor the other birds touched the water. ^4-35 Herring-Gulls, ca. 14 Black Terns, and 2 juvenile Gannets, accompanying a school of porpoises, with the same behaviour as the other flock. 14.40 Ca. 12 Herring-Gulls and ca. 15 Black Terns, also accompanying porpoises in the same manner. ^4-45 Two flocks of Black lerns, comprising ca. 25 and ca. 40 birds respectively, and i second-)'ear Gannet, at rest on the sea s surface. There were no porpoises to be seen. During the approximate 5-minute intervals between successive observations the ship travelled 2,000-2,500 yards. The sea "was exceptionally calm, there was no wind, and a mist restricted visibility to between | and i mile. Ihe Black Terns were in various stages of changing plumage. Other adult Gannets were observed in the area during the day' and It may be significant that this behaviour was only observed in the juveniles of this species. The approximate position of the birds was 3° o' W., 49° 50' N. i.e. about 40 miles from Devon and about 50 miles from hVance.’ J. Stafford. WOOD-PIGEON MOBBED BY SWALLOWS. On September 3rd, 1949, whilst observing Swallows {Hirundo rustica) over the downs near Tidworth, Hants, I noticed a Wood- Pigeon (Columba palumhns) flying towards a grove of beech trees in which large numbers of this species were in the habit of roosting. While still some distance from the roost the pigeon was intercepted by a party of eight Swallows which mobbed it so violently that it was compelled to adopt a zig-zag course ; the Swallows continued the attacks until the pigeon had gained the shelter of the trees. During the attacks the Swallows uttered a rapid, high-pitched twittering note. B. L. Sage AUTUMN DISPLAY OF DUNLIN. With reference to the note (antea, vol. xliii, p. 306) on autumn display of Dunlin {Calidris alpina), the folloMung may be of interest. On September 22nd, 1949, I was watching a flock of 17 Dunlins and four Curlew-Sandpipers {Calidris teslacea) at the Northampton VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 69 sewage farm when another Dunlin was put up from an adjoining bed. This bird called, whereupon the flock on the ground became agitated appearing to mark time and giving the usual flight call. This was replaced by a persistent “chip-chip chip’’. The single Dunlin, which was flying round in circles over the flock, then began a full display flight, hovering with depressed wings and soaring up and down, trilling vigorously. .Suddenly it dived down and joined the flock which immediately resumed feeding The complete display lasted about 30 seconds. M. R. K. Plaxton. SABINE’S GULL IN ESSEX. On November 5th, 1949, a dead immature Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini) was found by three Secondary School boys, R. Hurding, D. Gabbett and D. Bridgwater, on the saltings at Canvey Point, Canvey Island, Essex, and brought to me for identification. The bird was forwarded to Mr. R. Wagstaffe so that my identification might be confirmed, but unfortunately owing to indisposition he was unable to examine the specimen which was eventually destroyed. Subsequently Mr. Wagstaffe kindly confirmed my identification on the evidence of a full description of the gull (taken by me from the actual specimen), which agreed in all important respects with a prepared skin forwarded to me by Mr. Wagstaffe for examination and comment. This appears to be the second record of the species for Essex. R. B. Warren. [A full description of this bird appears in the Report of the Essex Bird-Watching and Preservation Society for 1949, p. 18. — Eds.] BLACK-HEADED GULL DROPPING AND CATCHING OBJECT IN BILL. With reference to Mr. Denny’s note {antea, vol. xliii, p. 333) on a Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) dropping and catching an object in its bill, the following observation may be of interest. On October 28th, 1950, near the mouth of the River Orwell, my attention was drawn to a Black-headed Gull (Laras ridibundus) flying over the water, close in-shore, which dropped an object from its bill, a;nd retrieved it in the air. It then proceeded to do the same thing over and over again, about a dozen times. The object was a bivalve, and appeared to be a mussel. Usually the gull would dive downwards, at an angle of perhaps 45 degrees, with its neck extended, giving the impression that it was pushing the object in front of it, release the object, and retrieve it before it had fallen more than about two to six feet. Its flying' height was about 40 to 50 feet, and if it dropped below about 35-40 feet it would regain height before continuing'. Unlike Mr. Denny’s Hooded Crow, however, it finally let the object drop into the water without any effort to retrieve it, and joined its fellows who were 70 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. lesting" on a patch of ground, a temporary island exposed by the falling tide. I had no means of proving whether the fish was still inside the shell; from the rate it fell I should think it probably was. In any case the whole thing was quite obviously play. As with Mr. Denny s bird, no notes were uttered during the performance. A. C. C. Hervey. DISPLAY OF RAZORBILLS. On May /th, i95*^> ^ was on the hill above Loch Hunish in the Isle of Skye, when a party of Razorbills (Alca tor da) entered the loch. I was about 200 feet above sea level, and had a good view of what followed. The Razorbills mo^•ed rapidly into the loch, then equally rapidly through the comparatively shallow water near the shore. A number of birds were present,’ yet during the half hour I watched them, they were never on the surface for more than a few seconds. I he interesting feature of the display was the number of shallow dives, which I could follow through my glass. The birds swam perhaps six feet beneath the surface (sometimes, of course, much deeper when I could not follow them) using their wings to thrust them through the water. The wing thrusts were of approximately the same speed as a gull’s wings when flying, and the birds altered their position all the time they zig-zagged. When they were exhausted they came to the surface but thrust only their heads above the water and having taken a breath of air at once submerged with a splash. When swimming beneath the water the birds did not appear to be in pursuit of mate or rival, but it seemed as if this under-water swimming was a part of the display. It might have been thought that the birds were in pursuit of fish, but there was no appear- ance of fry in the loch, nor did I see any Razorbill on appearing on the surface hold or swallow a fish. The day was particularlv fine and calm, after a prolong'ed spell of cold and high winds all through April. Seton Gordon. [This appears to be a form of the “swimming" together’’ display described by Mr. Conder {antea, vol. xliii, p. 67), but the birds watched by Mr. Seton Gordon seem to have spent an unusual amount of time under the v,^ater. — Eds.] THE NORTHERN GUILLEMOT ON AILSA CRAIG. It is recorded in The Handbook that the form of the Common Guillemot (Uria aalge) found on Ailsa Craig is the Southern Guillemot {U . aalge albionis). The Northern Guillemot {U . a. aalge), however, also occurs. During the last five years I have spent a considerable time on Ailsa Craig and have paid close attention to the status of the Guillemot, d'he Southern Guillemot IS in the majority, but a considerable proportion of Northern birds occurs as well as many birds somewhat intermediate in VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 71 character. Investigations into the exact status of each form have been in progress for some time and it is hoped that they will be completed in 1951. J- A. Gibson. Unusual accumulation of nest-materials by Starling. — In connection with the notes [antea, vol. xlii, p. iig; xliii, p. 335) on this subject, the Rev. F. L. Blathwayt informs us that on June 24th, 1916, at Deddington, Lines, he visited a barn where Starlings [Sturmis vulgaris) had made a pile of hay and straw four and a half feet high and four feet wide at the base, in an endeavour to bring the top of the nest to a level with a hole in the roof. The nest was never used. Early breeding of TREE-CREEPEk.- — ^We have received from Mr. C. R. Macdonald a note of a young Tree-Creeper [Certhia familiaris), apparently fully fledged but unable to fly, which he found at Cambridge on April 6th, 1950. The breeding-season of thisj species is stated in The Handbook to be the latter part of April, May and early June. Robin feeding on ivy berries.— Mr. W. T. C. Rankin informs us that during the cold weather on April 26th, 1950, he watched a Robin [Erithacus rubecida) taking ivy berries near Pant-y-mwyn, Denbighshire. A note on Redwings (Turdus musiciis) and other Turdidae feeding on ivy berries was published antea, vol. xlii, p. 388. TawiNy Owl taking Goldcrest. — Mr. M. Corbould informs us that on xA.pril 30th, 1950, he found a Goldcrest {Regidus regidus) among a pile of voles in the nest of a Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) at North Walsham, Norfolk. Eiders off coast of Kent. — Mr. Dennis F. Harle has sent the following records of Eider Ducks [Somateria molUssima) at .Sandwich Bay, Kent: — a female, November iith, 1949; an adult male, an immature male and five females, December i8th and 19th, 1949; three adult males, one immature male and up to nine females, December 21st, 1949. Unusual numbers are reported further south oif Pett Level, Sussex, in The Hastings and E. Sussex Naturalist (1949) pp. 191-192, where other records are given for the same period. Black Tern plunging into water. — ^With reference to the note [antea, vol. xliii, p. 258) on the behaviour of Black Terns [Chlidonias niger), Mr. John Shepperd informs us that on September 20th, 1950, at a gravel pit near Chichester, Sussex, he saw a Black Tern drop into the water on a number of occasions, the whole body, but not the wings, being submerged. Twice after plunging- in this way the bird remained on the surface for a moment before taking- oft'. 72 BRITISH BIRDS. [vOL. XLIV. Early juvenile Kittiwakes off Isle of Wight. With refeience to the note [antea, vol. xliii, p. 309) on early juvenile Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla] off the Sussex coast, Mrs. J. B. Priestley sends records of one near the mere, Newtown Marsh, on Aug'ust 23rd, 1947) 3nd another off' St. Catherines Point, Isle of Wight on August 23 rd, 1950. Late Pomatorhine Skua in Cornwall. — We learn from Mr. A. G. Parsons that he observed a Pomatorhine Skua [Stercornrius pomarinus) about one mile north of the WMlf lighthouse, Cornwall, on May 29th, 1950. The species is rarely observed in these waters at any season. m REVIEWS. REPORTS OF BIRD OBSERVATORIES. Skokholm Bird Observatory Reports, i04o-’j6, 1047, iq.g iq,o riojo °nf r'i"'’ cil.’ 'd'I^O,, 'mI'bT! ked House, Heywood Lane, Tenby, price 2/6). 'IS a BLd Ohserv^r^ “'"'n chequered period of Skokholm’s history as a B id Obseivatoiy. the first opens with some notes by Mr. R. M. Locklev made during the early months of 1940, when the Observatory was still largely responsibility. The island was finally evacuated in .Auglt 1940, and was not re-occupicd until April 12th, 1946, when the Observatory ?n"‘%"!-°\TirCounJTf^^''fh I"^''"don as Warden iv. r ^ I Promotion of Field Studies took over administra- tne and financial responsibility for Skokholm and appointed Peter Conder iTs't hZ f .Assistant Warden; They have prepared die n ^ Wales Field Society co-operates suentihcallv by retaining responsibility for publication. !?/• occurrences recorded in these reports have already been published in Bn/i,T/i Birds. These include an Ortolan in 1947, Lapland s^everel^ T '9^ again in 1949, a year which produced several othei unusual species listed in a short paper recently published CuZ'’ n‘“’ f '372 14). Other records of interest include a Stone- Curlew, the fiist for the island, and diree Hoopoes (one ringed) in 1040- a Tree-Sparrow and a Reed-Warbler in 1947, these being the third and fiVst surSe 'Sha^^'T cauPhfi, ih/ wT"! ® kingfisher, the second recorded on the island, was caught in the Heligoland trap on July i6th. The same year produced an unusually heavy passage of Willow-Warblers, the numbers of which reached August 6th; on the former date there ivere iLrfmiwI Sedge-Warblers and Whitethroats were also tound at Skoknolm in some numbers. In the 1949 report up to 70 Black- Redstarts are recorded on the island at the end of March, a considei'ible increase over pre-war figures. consiuei ame ofiservation of migrants is, however, only a part of the work of the Uservatory. Estimates of breeding populations are made annually and in many cases it has been possible to assess numbers wdth a reasonable degree of accuracy. Special studies of Wheatcar and Oyster-catcher have been in progress for some time, but of necessity all this work is reported with a )revit} which does less than justice to the labour involved. J, 1). \v FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY SEASON 195 1 The HOSTEL will be open from April I Ith until the end of October, 1951 with comfortable accommodation for six visitors per week. TERMS : Six Gu ineas per week inclusive. (Reduced rates for school parties and bona fide University Students). FIELD-WORK, in which visitors may take part, includes trapping, ringing and examination of migrant birds ; studies of nesting Skuas in June-July. 1950 ANNUAL REPORT may now be ordered from G. Waterston, 35, George Street, Edinburgh 2. Please book early through the Director : — Fair Isle Bird Observatory, by Lerwick, Shetland Telegrams : “ Migrant, Fairisle ” Telephone : Fair Isle 8 Prospectus sent on application to : F.I.B.O, TRUST, 17, INDIA STREET, EDINBURGH 3 Edited by : SHIRLEY FAULKNER-HORNE THE HORSE-LOVERS* AHTHOLOG Y 9/6 net. ’EAVENS, wot a lot of rubbish has been written about ’osses! ” Despite the immortal Jorrocks’ emphatic censure of equestrian literature, enough excellent material has been found to delight and amuse the reader through 315 pages of the present anthology. Trollope, Dickens, Conan Doyle, Nat Gould, Nancy Mitford and Enid Bagnold are a few whose writings appear. Published by H. F. & G. WITHERBY LTD. BINDING BRITISH BIRDS, VOL. XLIII. The publishers take pleasure in announcing that they are now able to undertake the binding of Vol. XLIII and subscribers who wish to avail themselves of this service are asked to forward their unbound parts at their convenience. The style of binding will be as for previous volumes and the charge is 7s. 6d. per volume (inc. postage). The publishers are also able to bind volumes of British Birds prior to Vol. XLIII at the same charge of 7s. 6d. per volume. SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS 7/6 for 3 lines (minimum); 2/6 for each extra line or part thereof. For the use of a Box Number there is an extra charge of I/- ; Advertisements for a particular issue should reach this office by the 21st of the preceding month. All communications to be addressed to : — H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd., 5, Warwick Court, London, W.C. I. ATTENTION ALL BIRD LOVERS. — Unique opportunity for Orni- thologists and Naturalists. 8, 12 and 14 Day Cruises by comfortable 6-berth Cabin Cruiser to Western Isles and Lochs. Tariff from 10 to 38 guineas. Details from Blue Water Cruises Ltd., 68, Gordon Street, Glasgow, C. I. NORTH NORFOLK COAST. — Moorings Hotel, Overy Staithe. The Hotel standing on a Tidal Creek facing Salt Marshes and Scolt Head Island Bird Sanctuary re-opens 20th April this year. 8 miles from Cley Sanctuary. SKOKHOLM BIRD OBSERVATORY.— All facilities are provided for bird watchers and other naturalists to study and/or assist with the work of the observatory. The price per week has not been increased above 4 guineas. Enquiries to Warden, Dale Fort Field Centre, Haverfordwest, Pemb. Printed in Gt. Britain by WixiiERBy & Co., Ltd., High Holbor.n, Londo.v. Published by H. F. & G. WTTHEFBY, LTD., a Warwick Cockt, W.C.1. BRITISH BIRDS AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE I DEVOTED CHIEFLY TO THE BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST - . ■ ■ id' Monthly is. Yearly 2 is MARCH, 19^1 VoL. XLIV. No. 3 Published by H. F. G. Wither by Ltd. BRITISH BIRDS EDITORS. A. W. Boyd, m.c., m.a., f.z.s., m.b.o.u. Norman F. Ticehurst, o.b.e., m.a., f.r.c.s., m.b.o.u. J. D. Wood, b.a., m.b.o.u. Contents of Number 3, Vol. XLIV, March, 1951. Sheld-Duck on the Tay estuary. By Henry Boase Obituary ; E. W. Hendy ... Notes ; — Late departure, wintering and early arrival of summer migrants 1949-50 (The Editors) ... Ravens using thermals (A. G. Hurrell) ’’’ Multiple nest-building by Carrion Crows (A. H. I^etts) Starlings attacking Swifts at nest-site (D. and M. Summers-Smith) ” pe conduct of Starlings in a trap (K. G. Spencer ; R. F. Dickens) Starlings striking surface of watei on wav to roost (D. V Butt and A. E. Vine) Greenland Redpoll in Norfolk (T. R. Evans) Gape-pnge colour of young Reed-Buntings (Derek Goodwin and R. W. Hayman) I* Force-of-habit ” behaviour of House-Sparrows (K. G. Spencer) . . ! House-Sparrow using the same nest twice in one season (Edwin Cohen) Crested I^rk imitating calls of Redshank, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper (K. E. L. Simmons) Colour variation in tits (John .Ash) Display-flight of Spotted Flj^chatcher (D. V. Butt) Winter song of Chiff chaff (J. E. Beckerlegge) Northern Chiffchaffs in the British Isles during the winter 1940-50 (Surgeon-Commander J. Mansel Reese, R.N.; E. G. Richards; L. P. Alder, Kathleen Gough ; Kenneth Williamson) Willow-VVarbler wintering in Cornwall (A. G. Parsons) Wood-Warblers in Sutherland (Derek Goodwin and R. Ml Hayman) Notes on behaviour of Blackbird (Miss V. J. MacNair) British-bred Swallow summering in Norwav (Miss E. P. Leach) pwny Owls found drowned (Dr. James M^ Harrison) Display of Common Buzzard (G. Ml H. Moule) Soft-part pOTr of Little Egret and Night- Heron in the breeding season (K. E. L. Simmons) pmmunal display in the Sheld-Duck (Dr. Julian Huxlev) Voice of the Sheld-Duck (E. H. Gillham) ... pwn-stripping by Sheld-Duck away from nest-site (E. H. Gillham) Pintail breeding in North Kent (E. H. Gillham) Pintail bleeding in Norfolk (Robin M. Harrison) Injury-feigning ” by Tufted Duck (J. N. Hobbs) !.! Aggressive display of Fulmar Petrel (T. R. Evans) Flight-display of Black-headed Gull (R. G. Pettitt) A courtship display of the Black Guillemot (Kenneth Williamson)... Page 73 83 86 88 89 89 90 91 91 92 92 92 92 93 93 94 94 97 98 99 100 100 101 101 102 103 103 104 106 107 107 107 108 THE EDITORSHIP OF “BRITISH BIRDS”. After the loss of B. W. Tucker there is no longer any one man available with the appropriate depth and breadth of knowledge to succeed him in filling the particular range of functions which have hitherto been concentrated in the Editor of British Birds. More- over, our recent losses of leading ornithologists have called attention to the dangers of omitting to spread the burdens suffici- ently widely and of not providing adequately for a succession. New editorial arrangements have accordingly been made which take account of these difficulties and will, it is hoped, in time over- come them. An editorial board will in future be responsible for the conduct of the magazine consisting, at present, of Messrs. E. M. Nicholson, N. F. Ticehurst, A. W. Boyd, W. B. Alexander, P. A. D. Hollom and J. D. Wood. Mr. E. M. Nicholson, who was intimately associated with both the previous Editors from the time of the British Birds Census of Heronries, 1928, and who helped in revising the proofs of The Handbook, will become senior editor. Mr. Alexander, in addition to his many other well-known contributions to ornithology, was selected by H. F. Witherby to complete the sections of The Handbook left unfinished on the death of F. C. R. Jourdain, and is also famed as the creator and 1 librarian of the Alexander Library at the Edward Grey Institute, • Oxford. Mr. Hollom was long and intimately associated with H. F. Witherby in field work, has been responsible for important reports in British Birds on the Black-headed Gull and Great 'Crested Grebe, and has an exceptionally wide knowledge of birds in many parts of Europe and North Africa. Every effort will be made to carry on the traditions and to maintain the high standards of the previous editors, although the difficulties of doing so are evident, and the editors hope that they may count on the co-operation and help of ornithologists generally in their task. The new arrangements will come into operation with the May issue to be published on May ist, in which fuller details will be given. Meanwhile readers are particularly requested to note that all editorial correspondence should continue to be addressed to Mr. J. D. Wood, 74, Shinfield Road, Reading, and not to the other editors. f W.' $ ‘■i T ‘ . u. , ! * T k • v***i li ll ^ , • •, *' ‘*1= ^ * -)»U ^ * ‘-It ' ’ * * i * ti '* =■ • : « r s -* r *; ♦ ' ^ I ( ' f J . '« Si,* •« ■ «MiNl|M ' >j . '■•’* ■■• • .r'-isj ■ 1 •. » > i/ ''t '■ ', *!■ 'J ' ' i, t* k* i V • ‘ ■ ' ^ 3 • < » # BRITISH BIRDS Number 3, Vol. XLIV, March, 1951. SHELD-DUCK ON THE TAY ESTUARY. BY Henry Boase. 'Considerable progress has been made in unravelling the tangled life-history of Sheld-duck (Tadorna tadorna). Hoogerheide and Kraak (1942) have shown that many Western European birds assemble in July on the great tidal flats behind the islands frhiging the Dutch and German coast and there pass through the annual moult, return uig to their breeding grounds by easy stages from October onwards. Coombes (1950) has demonstrated the existence of an overland flight line to the east over the north of England, used by Sheld-Duck on passage from breeding grounds in the West, presumably on their way to the moulting resort in the Heligoland Bight. Over a long period, the writer has paid considerable attention to the behaviour of Sheld-Duck in the upper Tay Estuary. Some information has been published in British Birds [antea, vol. xxviii, pp. 218-224 ; xxxi, pp. 367-371), dealing with display for the most part but including some information and comments on the apparent movements during the year. At that time, the existence of the moult-migration had ]iot been established. The resords available cover the period from 1912 with a gap in the early thirties. Up to 1925. the numbers on the upper Tay Estuary had reached 100 only once — in 1919 — but from 1934 at least this figure was exceeded frequently, reaching 220 in 1942. Since then, there has been a reduction. The records from 1934 to 1950 have been examined with a view to determining the time and nature of movements in this portion of the Tay. On inspection, it was obvious that some of the recorded figures could only refer to incomplete counts and these were discarded. There were some gaps brought about by absence from the district, but, after these adjustments, practically all the date periods contained ten to twelve counts which were satisfactory. From these, an average count was made for each period of seven to eight days (four periods per month) and these averages have been plotted to form a graph. A further graph shows the actual numbers found each year in the first period of May, at which time the local population is stable. A third graph shows the number of downy juveniles seen each year from 1937. The curve of average numbers shows some interesting features. In the portion from January to the end of March, the build-up shows two steep pitches and breaks, indicative of rapid increase and decrease. In some years, definite peaks in numbers did occur at or about the periods of rapid change but these fluctuations are 74 BRITISH BIRDS. [vOL. XLIV. reduced by the average-taking and by the ” spread ” of dates and show only as irregularities in an otherwise almost steady increase, t here is a check in the first period of x\pril, which, along with the dip in early May, suggests that the average summer numbers are VOL. XLiv.] SHELD-DUCK ON THE TAY ESTUARY. 76 attained in this extended period. The sharp peak in the third/fourth period of April and the less acute rise in mid-May must be the result of passage at these times. The drop in average numbers which follows from the last period of May to the first period of June agrees with the view that some non-breeding birds may depart at this time. There follows an abrupt rise in numbers to the last week in June, and thereafter a swift decline to a very low level of numbers at the end of July. There can be no doubt that this new peak refers to passage of birds to the moulting area near the German coast. It agrees with the findings of Coombes and, incidentally, the obvious presence of these migrants indicates that some at least alight on the east side of the country before making the sea-crossing. It seems probable that these passage birds come from the west or north-west rather than from the east coast of Scotland north of the Tay. As has been explained above, the average-taking and the spread of dates has masked the rapid changes in numbers which can occur during July. It is worth noting that the line of the curve before the marked passage peak, would, if contmued, join up very reasonably with the low-level portion of the curve near the end of July period. It is as well to mention here that the figures used up to the end of July did not include downy young but only those juveniles which were advanced in feathering. This was done as the losses of downy young can be substantial if the weather is unfavourable. In August, numbers begin to increase, reaching a maximum in early September. These consist of juveniles for the most part, generally far in excess of the local survivals. This movement must be the general withdrawal from the more exposed coasts. The remainder of the curve is of little importance ; it does show a tendency to rise in December and it so happens that it joins accurately 'with the January end of the curve. The curve itself has not been vetted in any way — it is as plotted from the average figures obtained. Some notes for the period 1912-29 are available but these are much less detailed and refer mainly to counts about Kingoodie. They do show in an imperfect way the build-up in the last week of March and in April. Unfortunately the records for late May and up to mid-June are very incomplete. The July/August notes are similar in outline to the later series but there are few records during the last four months of the year. These up-river records are in marked contrast to those of the east coast of Fife. It is only recently that any detailed information has been collected for Edenmouth. Some information is available for Tay port Bay within the mouth of the Tay, but these notes are similar in outline to the up-river records. Only one old report has been found for the Tentsmuir/Edenmouth shore — for many in the first days of January, 1928 [Scot. Nat. Report for 1928). In 1949, the count for January 28th was 672, and in 1950, on January i6th. 76 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. the count was 859. Counts in March and April. 1949, showed a I eduction to about one-half and one-quarter of the January fi^re In 1950, the April count was rather less than half of the Tanuary hgure. llie few counts for the last three months of the year suggest a slow build-up, but the only December count available, that of December 27th. 1948. for 178. gives little indication of the sub- stantia increase to 673 m the following January. The count on Ma> .■5th. 1950. of 236 IS again much larger than older records would sug^eM this may have been due to the bitter weather in the east o Scotland at the end of April. These are remarkable hgures and neLd few ySr^ Various writers have commented on the three stages in the sorimr movement of Sheld-Duck-assembly on the coast, visits to the salt maishes and flighting m to the nesting areas, and the final settle- ment in the breeding places. It appears that the upper Tay Estuary lanks mainly as a breeding place ; the sea-coast at Edenmouth is clear y an assembly place, and as it has also a fair-sized breeding population, there is a moderately large summering group as well. ^ ..ome records referring to an inland nesting place are of interest m respect of the arrival dates there, 'fhe place m question is a small loch at about 700 ft. above sea-level about three miles from the shore of the Tay Estuary. Arrival there has been noted as from mbruary 19th and up to March 27th. Out of eight records (six from the period under review), breeding has been successful m live instances. In these years, the arrival dates were March 4th 21st and -Oth. and twice hebruary 25th. 'I'here is, of course, no certain knowledge that these early arrivals did in fact breed ; in most years Iheie aie horn si.x to ten pairs on other lochs in the vicinity but no knowai breeding is on record for these waters. The two libruarv 1 ecoids would seem to show that birds mav go at once to the breedin-^ place whenever they arrive, even to the extent of standing about on the ice there waiting for better conditions. That six pairs out of the eight location records did hatch young seems to suggest that actual breeding birds may return earlier than the much larger non-breeding group which forms the bulk of the summering birds It seems vossMe that the presence of the flattened knob on the bill of t^mSe may be a direct indication of se™al vigour, ft is not easy to be certain of the piesence of the knob except at short range, but the notes made so far do show that some males show no sign of the knob although paired that in February and March only some unpaid nales ^ave the knob, that by April, perhaps most males have no knob, and that males with broods were wflthout the knob in late June and July. Further study of this matter is required but the ami theiefore probably breeders, could be ascertained by noting the )u.i,enee of the knob. A later comparison w'ith the^number of bloods seen would give some indication of the breeding success of VOL. XLiv.J SHELD-DUCK IN THE TAY ESTUARY. 77 the season. It has been suggested that the summering birds are for the most part second-year birds. In view of the small number of broods reared each year, this seems doubtful. Full grown Sheld-Duck can have few effective enemies ; an albino was seen for at least seven years in the upper Tay Estuary, returning each year with the summering birds. Were it not for the restricted breeding, the rate of increase would be very rapid (this is not the case). Food supply can be regarded as unlimited and in itself have no influence on numbers. The loss of juveniles will be shown later on as normal, so the restricted breeding must remain the chief check on excess numbers. When opportunity arises, with the birds in flight, the white- tipped secondaries and inner primaries are clearly visible in the second-year birds ; some of these also show poor development of the chestnut band and black belly-patch. Only some eleven records have been obtained for these second-year birds on the upper Tay Estuary — six in early January, one in early February, eight in March, two in April, and six in May. On the other hand, on March 8th, 1942, it was possible to examine in good light at close range some seventy Sheld-Duck, all of which appeared to be in full adult plumage. The recent studies on the moult-migration of Sheld-Duck have thrown new light on the life-history of the bird. Attention has been drawn to the almost complete withdrawal of the full grown popula- tion during July, leaving a few adults to tend the juveniles, either as broods or packs. There is, perhaps, no certain knowledge as to whether the caretaker birds are indeed the parents of all or part of the juvenile group they guide, nor is it known with certainty which sex (if a single bird) is in attendance. One assumes it to be the female, but conditions rarely permit of a definite decision. The loss of the bill-knob of the male makes the matter the more difficult. There seems to be a wide variation in the time of association of adult and juveniles. As a preliminary to discussing some matters, I have summed up the records for the upper Tay Estuary relating to the different stages of the breeding cycle : — Broods. The earliest broods seen are June 8th, 1941, and June 9th, 1940, but judging by the apparent age of broods seen in the period June 13th /15th, it seems probable that earlier hatching has occurred. The latest date for a brood of recent young is August ist, 1942, and the normal hatching period appears to be from June loth to July 6th. Counts of recent broods have ranged from three to eleven, with greater frequency in four to nine ; sixteen broods out of twenty- seven have been in the group five to seven, and six of these records for six. Fledging. The most reliable data in the records refer to the broods at the small hill loch at 700 ft. There is, of course, some variation 78 BRITISH BIRDS VOh. XLIV. in the rate of growth and fledging of the individual juveniles The notes are as follows : — 1922 . six juveniles with two adults on July 15th ; five juveniles August gth ; two fledged juveniles on August 20th ; a possible minimum of forty-four days. 1923 . three juveniles with two adults on June 29th ; adults gone and juveniles apparently full grown on August 9th ; juveniles were still present on August 20th : a possible minimum of forty-two days. 1937 . seven juveniles with two adults, and five juveniles on their own on July ist ; were reduced to five and one juvenile, each group with two adults in attendance on July 5th ; reduced to two juveniles with two adults, and a second pair with a juvenile, on July 8th ; the pair and two juveniles remained to July 27th ; the female and’ one juvenile to July 31st, and both had gone by August 7th : result in doubt. 1939 • six juveniles with two adults on June 17th ; one juvenile lost by July 2nd ; one adult departed in the period July i6th/24th ; the other adult and two juveniles were gone by July 31st ; and the remaining three juveniles were gone by August 13th. On j’uly i6th the five juveniles appeared almost full grown. Fledging must have exceeded thirty-seven days, but was less than forty-four days for two juveniles. 1940 • nine juveniles with two adults on June 9th ; were still present and juveniles showing feathering on July loth ; brood reduced to seven and only one adult .seen, and this some distance apart on July 28th ; six juveniles, several of which had short wings, were present on August nth and these had gone by August ’28th. Apparently sorne of the juveniles took over sixty days to get the use of their wings. The records do not appear to allow for the intrusion of a second brood taking the place of the original partv between July loth and 28th. ^ ^ The record for 1937 seems to deal with a long-drawn battle with ^me enemy and it is unlikely that the surviving juvenile got away. Ihe adults in this instance were nervous from the very start, the female leading the brood into cover whenever conscious of observa- bon. The latest date for an adult in attendance is August 9th. There were no obvious signs of jealousy between the two pairs with broods, nor any tendency for the broods to " pack ” in the record for 1937. The record of packs on the mud-flats only covers the period from 1937- Up to 1925 at least, when only twenty to thirty pairs were present, it is possible that broods were too scattered for pack formation. There is, of course, the possibility that observation was ineffective, but it seems incredible that the characteristic feeding behaviour of the pack could have been overlooked. In point of date, packs have been seen from June i6th (194s) with other June dates of 22nd and 30th (1940). Most of the large packs were seen m the first week of July and these juveniles would VOL. XLiv.J SHELD-DUCK IN THE TAY ESTUARY. 79 be fledged, but perhaps not capable of flight, early in August when the attendmg adult would then be free to depart. There are few records of packs tended by adults in August — on 2nd, 1942, 3rd, 1941, 4th, 1946, and nth and i8th, 1940 (in this last instance, the adult appeared to be in eclipse) ; packs without airy adult attendant were seen on Au^st 3rd, 1940, 8th, 1941, 19th, 1944, 25th, 1940. The numbers in these packs varied from twelve up to forty, with a fairly deflnite tendency to average twenty, twelve out of thirty- three counts coming in the eighteen/twenty-two group, and seven within the thirty-two/thirty-six group. As the average brood appears to be six, packs of four to six broods may be normal, when some allowance for losses is made. The apparent loss of juveniles from the packs can be fairly heavy. A group of thirty-seven seen on July 6th, 1937, was reduced to twenty-nine on July 23rd, and to twenty-three on July 28th, by which time some of them might have attained flight. In 1940, when quite abnormal numbers of juveniles were seen, the records were difficult to interpret. On June 22nd, packs of fifteen and twenty-two were seen ; on June 30th, a single pack of thirty-three. On July 6th, however, there were two packs — thirty and forty ; on the 9th, twenty-seven in one group ; on 21st. thirty-two in one group ; on 22nd, twenty-seven in one group ; on August 3rd, thirty-five ; on nth, i8th, and 25th, a group of twenty-two was seen. It appears possible that one sequence was fifteen plus twenty-two — thirty-three — thirty — ^twenty-seven — twenty-seven — twenty-two, and the other forty— thirty-two — thirty-five. The only other group of counts is for 1945, with two packs — twenty, and twenty-three on June i6th, which may have been the source of a pack of thirty-three with three adults on July 6th. In one instance a group of eleven with two adults seen on June i8th, 1939, was still intact on July i6th. No other brood was seen that year so that it is unlikely that losses were made good from another brood. Broadly, these figures suggest a loss of one-third. That later on, in September, adults ^re sometimes found in close company with juveniles, does suggest a possible continuance of association. It is by no means certain that the groups are part of the local stock. Reference to the curve of average numbers shows that the lowest counts occur in August and that an increase takes place from late August to early September ; it appears, therefore, that most of the local birds depart. Visibility over the flats is generally poor at this season, but it seems unlikely that parties of juveniles could escape notice. As it stands, the record suggests a departure of many juveniles and most of the remaining adults in early August, with an increase from the third week, presumably the result of ‘ drift,” and some of the groups consist of one or more adults with juveniles. Such groups are — one female with four juveniles September 12th, 1949 ; one adult with thirty-six probable juveniles on August 23rd, 1941 ; one adult noth sixteen juveniles on September 80 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. 2nd, 1942 , 3-iid two adults with twenty-six juveniles on September 3rd, 1950. The adults in these groups have been found to show little or no sign of moult to eclipse ; their plumage is certainly not fresh breeding plumage so it appears that some adults defer the moult to a much later time of year. Reviewing the moult records available, the earliest certain moult noted is for June 15th, 1941 ; on June 17th, 1942, actual feathers fiom the chestnut band and also large wing coverts were found at a preening place , and by the fourth week of June a large proportion of the adults show obvious moult. As July passes the numbers fall rapidly, but eclipsed adults have been identihed on July 25th, 1945, August 9th, 1941, August 15th, 1942, August 17th, 1044’ August i8th, 1948. Little evidence has been obtained of loss of flight feathers. On July 22nd, 1940, a pair of adults with a brood crouched on the water and swam aside when a power boat scattered the brood ; commonly the adults fly around when the brood is threatened. On August loth, 1946, an adult feeding inshore ran from a passing train instead of taking flight ; another adult refused to fly when pursued on August 20th, 1943. An adult seen on July 31st, I943> had .short flights in the left wing. A note made in July, I937> records that the females seemed more advanced in moult than the males, a comment made also by Coombes. The adults breeding at the hill loch referred to above showed moult as follows : In July, 1937, the female on the ist, the male on the i8th, and both were well into eclipse on the 31st ; in July, 1938. one moulting on the 3rd ; m July, 1939, no sign of moult wr the i6th, just showing on the 22nd ; in July, 1940 — female in moult on the loth ; in August. 1922, the adult very ragged on the loth. On the mud flats, adults showing no apparent moult have been seen sixteen times in the period August 3rd/2oth (that is when numbers are at their lowest) in the years 1939 to 1950 ; further records for the last third of August are 25th, 1939, 21st and 30th, 1942, 23rd, I943> 27th, I944> &nd an old record, when local numbers were much smaller, for 27th, 1921. Records of breeding plumage have been obtained for early September— as one with a pack of juveniles on 5th, 7th, and 19th, 1941 ; one adult with sixteen juveniles on the 2nd, 1942 one adult on 9f^> ^945 > one adult showing some patchiness on chestnut band on the loth, 1950. Other similar records are — three in almost perfect plumage on September 15th, 1940 i one with the band well developed on September loth, 1941 1 and adult perfect on September 15th, 1944. Other records for the second half of September show that the change from eclipse to breeding plumage is general, but an adult still in eclipse was seen on September 26th, 1948. Some of the more advanced juveniles are showing moult in the second half of Sep- tember ; one showing the chestnut band was noted on the 16th. J945. six were well advanced on the 23rd. 1923. Moult among juveniles becomes general during October but November records VOL. xLiv.] SHELD-DUCK IN THE TAY ESTUARY. 81 for unchanged juveniles are usual. Records of juveniles without any trace of the chestnut band have been obtained for all months up to April in very small numbers, probably not averaging one per cent, of the numbers examined. Ihe most outstanding record for an adult showmg no eclipse is that seen on August 23rd, 1941, associated with a pack of thirty-six juveniles. This group was seen on various occasions at the same feeding place up to September 19th, on which date the adult appeared to be in good breeding plumage with the bill a strong red. At most, this bird showed only a few pale flecks on the chestnut band and appeared to have gone through only a token eclipse. This matter .is dealt with in detail as it seems possible at least that these abnormal birds are caretakers whose moult to eclipse has been suppressed by the activities of their office. It is clearly a very awkward matter to prove on a strictly scientific basis. The matter was first brought to the writer’s attention by a statement made by Colonel Drummond Hay in a paper read to the Perthshire Societ}'^ of Natural Science about 1880. He mentioned there that Sheld-Duck did not go into eclipse like other duck. Of course he was wrong, but he must have noted fuU-plumaged adults in August and early September and had assumed that all others present were juveniles. Drummond Hay was a careful observer who did much good work in the ornithology of the Tay Area. Some aspects of the curve of numbers in early May call for comment. This curve seems to show a marked increase up to 1942 with a decline in the following years. It is doubtful if the increase is other than local. It seems probable that the increase in the upper Tay Estuary is mainly the result of the rising disturbance and changing conditions on the east coast of Fife. It may have had an earlier impetus from the afforestation of the northern portion of Tentsmuir where a moderate number had summered. The decrease after 1942 may well have been the result of the establishment of Errol aerodrome with its increasing tempo of R.A.F. exercises over the upper estuary, which in the last year of the war brought an abundance of Harvard trainer aircraft, the thrum of which, with its abrupt changes of intensity, seemed to impress terror on goose, duck, and plover alike. These planes departed in 1946 and some recovery of Sheld-Duck is obvious by 1948. In 1949 and 1950, the weather in April and early May was severe and may have caused some Sheld-Duck to remain outside the breeding area. Another point of view suggests that the peak in 1942 had its origin in the exceptionally large number of juveniles reared in 1940 — a summer of traditional splendour. This agrees with the statement that the Sheld-Duck breeds in its third summer. It is unfortunate that in 1947, the early months of which had weather of exceptional severity and, in Tay, a bitter May, no indication was fomid of the larger numbers of juveniles reared in 1945. The losses of adults and young in 1947 may have been reflected in the low count for 1949. 82 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Sheld-Duckin Upper Tay Estuary 1934 to 1950 r liis assumes that second year birds do not come to the nesting area, but remain on the coast. Observation has sliown in the negative sense that this is so. Coombes has remarked that the non-breeding pairs are lethargic, sitting about asleep, while the breeding pairs are active — just how the breeding pairs are recognized otherwise is not clear. On the upper Tay Estuary feeding on the mud-flats is active and continuous ; during the period when the flats are covered many rest and preen, but some continue to up-end in shallows or feed in the sedges near the edge of the tide. As it may be of interest, the curve of numbers of recent downy young each }^ear is given along with that for the May counts of full grown birds. Summary. I. Counts of Sheld-Duck were made in the Upper Tay Estuary Irom 1934 to 1950. .Analysis of the flgures shows that there are periods of passage in the early months of the year, these being es- pecially maiked in parlv April :inrl again m May. Figures dro]’> rapidly in June, but rise again at the end of the month, when there is a pas.sage movement of birds presumed to be on their way to the moulting area. Figures fluctuate for llu' remainder of the year. VOL. XLiv.] SHELD-DUCK IN THE TAY ESTUARY. 83 2. Dates of arrival at a selected nesting site and data for brood size and fledging periods are given. 3. The development of the frontal knob appears to be delayed or absent in many males ; its presence may mark the sexually vigorous birds which will breed that year. 4. The formation of packs of juveniles has been observed from June i6th. Packs average about twenty strong. Records suggest losses from packs of up to one third. 5. The earliest record of moult is June 15th. Birds still in breeding plumage have been noted in August and early September and the suggestion is made that moult may be delayed in “ care- taker ” birds. 6. Fluctuations in the size of the breeding population from year to year are recorded and discussed. REFERENCES. Boase, H. (1935)- " On the display, nesting and habits of the Sheld-Duck.” British Birds, Vol. xxviii, pp. 218—224. Boase, H. (1938). "Further notes of the habits of Sheld-Ducks.” British Birds, Vol. xxxi, pp. 367—371. Hoogerheide, J., and Kraak, W. K. (1942). " Voorkomen en trek van de Bergeend.” Ardea, Vol. 31, pp. i— 19. Gillham, E. H., and Homes, R. C. (1950). The Birds of the North Kent Marshes. London. CooMBES, R. A. H. (1950). "The Moult-migration of the Sheld-Duck.” Ibis, Vol. 92, pp. 405-418. [Attention may be drawn to some notes on various aspects of Sheld-Duck behaviour and to the review of Mr. R. A. H. Coombes’s paper on the Moult-migration of the Sheld-Duck. The latter is illustrated by three plates. — ^Eds.] OBITUARY. E. W. HENDY. Ernest William Hendy, who died in his 78th year on November ist, 1950, brought a poet’s mind and a classical training to the study of birds and wild life, and his approach bore fruit in a rare degree of insight into Nature, matched by an origmality and felicity of expression which endeared his writings to a great many lovers of birds and of the countryside. He was educated at Blundell’s and Balliol and followed the law as a profession, practising as a solicitor in Manchester before his retirement to live in West Somerset on the seaward fringe of Exmoor where for the past 24 years he and his wife shared enjoy- ment in the pursuit of natural history, especially the study of birds. 84 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Without scientihc training and, indeed, by temperament averse to much m the purely scientihc attitude, Hendy vigorously dis- claimed any pretension of being a scientihc ornithologist, stressing his preoccupation with what to him was lar more important, the beauty of the living bird and its ways, and the emotional’ and philosophical satisfaction derivmg from the contemplation of f ^^™onic whole. Nevertheless, the scope and accuracy of his held observations and the integrity of his philosophic outlook sufficed to secure for him a high reputation in the ranks of serious contributors to our knowledge of bird life. In this respect his acknowledged mentor was T. A. Coward, whom he met in his Manchester days and in Cheshire, and of whom he was too good a disciple not to recognize and practise the scientihc virtues of systematic observational and experimental study in the held. At the same time he was devoted to another master, W. H. Hudson with whom he long corresponded and in whose vein of poetic romanticism he found much inspiration. He had also a poet’s sympathy with the pantheistic mysticism of Richard Jefferies as well as an appreciation of the value of the more objective writings of that most intimate of observers. Widely read as he was in the literature that appealed to him, Hendy was quite unversed in scientihc technicalities and il forced, as was sometimes inevitable into using scientihc expressions would do so with an almost apologetic air. Without some refeience to these inhuences of temperament, training and association Hendy’s somewhat peculiar position in’ ormthological circles might not be easv to appraise, for all he said and did and wrote about wild life had its deepest roots in the poet’s emotional reaction to the beauty that is in Nature. In the last of his books. More about Birds, published during loso he writes delightfully of a friendship dating from childhood with a woodcutter in the Mendips and it is easy to see how such intimate associations early helped him to imbibe and develop his intense love of Nature, yet he tells us in the same book that he did not take seriously to the study of birds till he was nearly thirty. Once having succumbed to their lure, however, he gave them first place for the lest of his life and the product of his pen has borne witness to his unremitting service in their cause. Besides his books, he contri- buted articles over many years to a wide variety of periodicals, ranging from the dailies to the quarterlies, and bird lovers are indebted greatly to him for the part he has played in sensitizing public opinion not only to that beauty and charm of birds which is incommunicable e.xcept in terms requiring a poet’s insight but also to the fascination that birds equally present in the manv scientific problems propounded by their behaviour. His devotion to the cause of bird protection expressed itself not only in his published work but in his many vears of patient recording and editorial work for the Devon Bird-W'atching and Preservation VOL. XLIV.] OBITUARY. 86 Society, which he helped to found and whose progress to the strong position it occupies to-day owes so much to his untiring effort and example, ever-ready to help the genuinely interested novice but sternly critical of any shoddiness or insincerity of approach. He contributed a great deal to our knowledge of local migration routes, collecting and collating information sent by numerous helpers and paying particular attention to the Swallow. He made a special study . of garden birds in his garden at Porlock, which he and Mrs. Hend^' chose, planned and developed every bit as much for the use and pleasure of birds as for their own. There for manj^ years he recorded those detailed observations which through his books and articles have made that garden a living corner of experience for a great many people and provided both inspiration and practical guidance for numbers to “go and do likewise.” Hendy will always be identified with Exmoor, and his Wild Exmoor through the Year, published first in 1930 and in a new and revised edition in 1946, is a good example of the quality of his writing, intended as he says himself not for scientific naturalists but to arouse the amateur’s interest in wild creatures and help create an intelli- gent public opinion in favour of their proper protection. Other books are The Lure of Bird-Watching, Somerset Birds and some other Folk, Here and There with Birds, and, as already mentioned, More about Birds. He also wrote Selworthy and Other Poems, and^ with N. G. Hadden, A Guide to the Natural History of Porlock and District. Like T. A. Coward, Hendy was a shy man who hated crowds and was more “ at home ” in the field than at meetings, and one felt that while he spent himself in promoting an interest in natural history he yet found it difficult to suffer gla^y anything approaching a mass movement either in nature worship or in nature study. This dislike of regimentation was reflected in a rather brusque treatment of Field Club Ramblers,” while his abhorrence of “ specimens ” and what he called the “ card-index mentality ” led him at times, when regarding certain trends in scientific ornithology, into polemics which, though by no means without their value, were m some respects a trifle sweeping and perhaps lacking in a spirit of compromise. But in one of so strong a personality and individual a cast of thought it was inevitable that when differences of opinion arose, even within the camp of protectionists, he should seem to display some degree of intolerance and asperity towards his opponents. His fighting spirit was, however, combined with sportsmanship and a puckish sense of humour and he could, as I know from experience of personal clashes, refuse to let such matters cloud his friendships. His work is free from all trace of false sentimentalism and he would have wanted no higher praise than that he was the true poet and naturalist of his beloved Exmoor, the living Exmoor of which he has communicated so much in so entrancing a fashion, and where 86 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. his ashes have now, at his wish, been scattered. He would have felt, too, I think, that no tribute to him would be just that did not include his wife. She survives him, having shared his enthusiasms throughout, her devotion to him and his cause having been a sustained inspiration which he never failed to acknowledge, O.’ D. H. NOTES. LATE DEPARTURE, WINTERING, AND EARLY ARRIVAL OF SUMMER MIGRANTS, 1949-50. Partly as a result of a request for such information {antea, vol. xliii, p. 223) we have received a certain number of records of summer visitors spending the winter of 1949-50 in the British Isles. We have also received several records of species seen unusually late in the autumn of 1949 or unusually early in the spring of 1950. The species concerned are not necessarily the same in all three categories of records, but in some cases it is not easy to separate late autumn departures or early spring arrivals from wintering birds. For this leason it seems best to group all the records together. Although many records of wintering have been received the species concerned and the areas where they were observed are, for the most part, in accordance with expectation. Attention may be drawn to the late passage of terns m the autumn of 1949 and to the unusually early dates for movements of Wheatears, for Swallow and for Arctic Tern in 1950. Xhe Editors. Chiffchaff [Phylloscopus collyhita). — We have received several winter records from regions^ where some birds may be expected to winter annually viz., Cornwall (A. G. Parsons. J. E. Beckerlegge), Devon (R. G. Adams)’ Somerset (E. G. Holt), Co. Dublin (November 25th, 1949 — D. Jackson)’ Co. Limerick (N. H. Wilson). More unusual records are ; Three, one of which was singing, at Whyke gravel pits, near Chichester, Sussex, February 19th, 1950 (L. P. Alder) ; one at Liverpool, December 5th, 1949 (K. D. G. Mitchell) ; one seen near Grimsby, Lines., on various dates, February ioth-i9th, 1950 {per S. A. Cox, who has also sent a record of a Chiffchaff heard in song at Grimsby on February 25th and March 5th, 1949). Attention is drawn to notes elsewhere in this issue on winter song of Chiffchaff and on " Northern ” Chiffehaffs wintering in the British Isles 1949-50, pp. 94 ei seg. Chiffchaff or Willow-Warbler {Ph. irocAffns).— Messrs. G. G. Crowe and C. E. Douglas report that on December 27th, 1949, they found two phylloscopi in the valley of the Kennet, near Aldermaston. Berks. Specific identification was not possible owing to poor conditions, but one of the birds was thought to have been a Willow-Warbler. Willow-Warbler. — The following record has been supplied by Mr. L. P. Alder; " .<\.t Whyke gravel pits, near Chichester, Sussex, on December nth and 26th, 1949, a Willow-Warbler was heard calling “ hooeet ” subdued on the first date, when the weather was cold, but more emphatic on the second VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 87 date, when conditions were milder. The legs were dark grey, appearing darker (not black) on the second occasion owing to poor lighting conditions. Back, mantle and rump were greenish-brown, wings and tail being dark brown with some green present ; under-parts were sulphur, palest on the belly. On the second date a pale yellow eye-stripe, very yellow under wing-coverts and buff streaks on breast were noted.” A record of a Willow-Warbler wintering in Cornwall in the winter of 1948- 49 is published elsewhere in this issue. Wood-Warblkr {Ph. sibilatrix) . An early arrival is reported by Mr. Cyril H. Gillham, wh(j heard a bird singing near Oswestry, Salop, on April 7th, T950. Blackcap [Sylvia atricapilla). — ■Wintering birds have been reported from Seaton, Devon, February loth, 1950 (A. L. W. Mayo) ; Brent Knoll and Bumham-on-Sea, Somerset (E. G. Holt) ; near Salisbury, Wilts, a female, January 7th, X950 (W. R. P. Bourne) ; Monkstown, Co. Dublin, a male, November 23rd and December i8th, 1949 (D. Jackson) ; Ballymena, Co. Antrim, a male, November 26th and December 4th, 1950 (J. J. McDowell), possibly the same individual as one already reported (antea, vol. xliii, p. 223) ; Corbally, Co. Limerick, January 23rd, 1950, and subsequently (N. H. Wilson). Song : Mr. Holt reports frequent sub-song and occasional full song at Bumham-on-Sea on February i8th, and full song at Brent Knoll on February 23rd. Mr. Wilson reports ” loud and prolonged song ” on Febmary 28th and subsequent mornings for about a week ; this is apparently unusual, though wintering birds, "up to three males or females ” are regular in Co’. Limerick. Food : Several observers report Blackcaps visiting bird-tables, a not infrequent habit of wintering birds. Additional food items reported are rotten apples, berries of Ivy, Pyracantha and Cotoneaster (E. G. Holt) and of Poinsettia (N. H. Wilson). Wheatear [CEnanthe cenanthe). — The following report of an early movement has been supplied by Mr. L. Ottaway : — “On Febmary 19th, 1950, at Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory, during a steady, but thin, passage of Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), finches. Sky -Larks (Alauda arvensis) and Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) to the south-west, nine Wheatears- passed through to the south-west, a single bird at 9.15, a party of six at 11.05 and two at 13.30. All were flying at c. 25 ft., and in every case the call, with which I am very familiar, first attracted attention. A good view was obtained directly overhead through 8 x 30 binoculars, when the following particulars were noted : rather rounded appearance, caused by short tail ; jerky flight and buf&sh under-parts contrasting with black portion of tail. At the time the wind was due south, force 2, and it was a fine, mild day with brilliant sunshine. Two more Wheatears were recorded passing to the south-west on March 4th and two more with Starlings moving in the same direction on March 5th. It may be worth adding that all visible migration at Gibraltar Point is in a south-westerly direction, both in spring and autumn.” Nightingale [Luscinia megarhyncha). — An early date has been supplied by Mr. John Gwatkin who heard one in song on the morning of April 8th, 1950, at Petworth, Sussex. Swallow [Hirundo rustica). — Late autumn passage was noted by Mr. W. S. Nevin at Hythe, Kent, where fifty were seen on November loth, 1949 ; smaller numbers were seen on various subsequent dates, two birds on December 4th being the latest recorded. Mr. K. R. Chandler has reported a single bird at South Godstone, Surrey, on December 4th. Early arrivals are reported by Mr. E. G. Richards who saw four birds over a small pool between Dunster and Minehead, Somerset, on Febmary 25th, 1950, and by Mr. Robert Cant who saw two at Carnoustie, Angus, on March 25th, 1950. It should be noted that Mr. Richards’s record is earlier than any mentioned in The Handbook. House-Martin (Delichon urbica). Late autumn passage is reported bv Mr, 88 BRITISH BIRDS. fVOL. XLIV, Nevm from Hythe. Kent. There were a few Martins with Swallows up to Uecembw 4th, when the last Swallow was seen, after which four Martins were seen on December 7th and 8th, and one on December loth. The last was seen n>mg well all morning, but a sudden drop in temperature with snow, sleet and ram proved fatal and the bird was found dead the same evening Mr. M. J. Seago reports a single bird at Rockland Broad, Norfolk, on December loth, 1949. also in snow showers. Sand-Martin riparia) .~Ur . M. J. Thomas reports a late bird at har.swood, Warwickshire, on November ist, 1949. Gakganey {Anas querquedula).—A wintering pair is reported by Messrs. 1 ). F. Geoghegan and M. H. Fileman at a pond near Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. Common Sandpiper {Actitis hypoleucos). — Messrs. L. P. .^Ider, C. F. Brown, C. M. James, J. Shepperd, and C. M. Vevsey have sent records of Common Sandpipers seen in nine different localities in Sussex. There may have been as many as nine individuals wintering at various points between West 1 termg and Coombs. Mr. K. D. G. Mitchell reports two at Antrim on the shores of Lough Neagh on November 27th, 1949, and one thereafter till xMarch i8th, 1950, when there were again two. Mr. R. G. .Adams reports two on the Otter estuary, Devon, on December i8th, 1949. Kentish Plover {Leucopolius alexandrmns). — Winter records have been supplied for Abberton Reservoir, Essex, December 22nd, 1949 (W. R. P, Bourne) and Pagham Harbour, Sussex, Februarv 20th, 19^0 (M. Gore, E. Pearce. P^ Mills). One, Exe estuary, Devon, October 30th, 1949-March 26th 1950 (R. G. Adams). Sandwich Tern [Sterna sandvicensis). — An early arrival is reported by Mr. S. D. Stevens who watched one near Ballantrae, Ayrshire, on March 2sth 1950. ' Common and/or Arctic Tern [S. hirundo and S. macrura). — Late autumn passage in 1949 is reported from Somerset by Messrs. Bernard King, R. H. Poulding and M. Tucker (see also Report on Somerset Birds (1949), pp. 27-28I. No\ ember dates are as follows : Two, Barrow Gurney, November 5th, a,nd one, November 6th ; one, Blagdon, November 6th and 7th ; two Cheddar, November 6th — all of these being either Common or Arctic. An Arctic Tern was found dead at Blagdon on November 20th. on which date a Common Tern was seen at Cheddar. An Arctic Tern was found dead at Cheddar on December 12th. Mr. M. Larkin has supplied the following records for Rotton Park Reservoir, Birmingham : One Arctic Tern, October i9th-23rd, 1949. and two October 23rd-November 5th ; one Common Tern. October 27th, 1949. An early Arctic Tern is reported by Messrs. R. W. M. Lee, A. J. Richards, and K. H. Roberts, who watched one at close quarters at a .gravel pit near Coventry on April 8th and 9th, 1950. C.orn-Crake [Crex crex). — One found dead near Rushmark, Worcs, second week of November, 1949 [per Mrs. H. Rait Kerr). Quail (Coturnix coturnix). — The following have been reported; A female shot at Weighton Lock, Yorks, on December 23rd, 1949 (C. G. Booth) • one near Fareham, Hants. March 3th, 1950 (Dr. C. Suffern) ; two at Lymin^ton Hants, April nth, 1930 (Col. M. B. Allsebrook). RAVENS USING THERMALS. Several recent volumes of British Birds have contained references to Ravens [Corvus corax) gathering in flocks for roosting or other purposes. Some observations I made in Cyprus maj'^ be of interest in connexion with a note by Mr. R. Hewson [antea, vo). xlii, p. 181). In August, 1949, whilst staying in the Troodos Mountain Area 1 noted the flocking of Ravens in a specific valley 5,500 ft. above sea-level, where in the morning few or no Ravens were observed. The flocking was of interest in the large numbers concerned and the VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 89 communal use of an uprising air current. The number fluctuated daily with an average of 6i and extremes of 41 to 79. A few pairs would begin soaring soon after mid-day to be jomed by others at short intervals, coming from all directions, till the maximum numbers were reached about 14.00. The birds would soar in pairs ascending spirally to an estimated height of 2,000 ft. Some pairs would then “ peel off ” descending vertically with outstretched wings in a rapid corkscrew dive and then reascend. Others would merely continue spiralling and then flap away in aU directions in pairs till by about 14.30 the flock had disappeared. It seems that these birds were not flocking to roost — as they dispersed later — or to feed, but that the thermal was the attraction. A. G. Hurrell. MULTIPLE NEST-BUILDING BY CARRION CROWS. In 1949 ^ of Carrion Crows {Corvus corone) nested in the grounds of the Temple in the City of London. Two nests were constructed in a row of tall plane trees which also contained the remains of a previous year’s nest. In 1950 the birds were again present and, during the week pre- ceding April 14th, constructed two nests in adjacent trees. They remained in the vicinity, giving no clue as to which nest was to be occupied, and on May nth a third nest was built in another tree. On subsequent dates the presumed cock remained above one of the original two nests indicating that the hen was brooding. Three juveniles were seen in the vicinity in August. Only one pair was involved. A. H. Betts. STARLINGS ATTACKING SWIFTS AT NEST-SITE. On the evening of May 6th, 1950, several Swifts {Apus apus) arrived over our house and garden in Highclere, N. Hampshire., After they had been swooping and screaming overhead for about an hour and a half one bird was finally seen to enter the roof under the eaves where they regularly nest, and where Starlings [SUirnus vulgaris) were known to be feeding young. Immediately a noisy scuffle ensued and three birds were seen to tumble to the ground. The Swift, which proved to be one of these, remained on the ground, while two Starlings flew into a tree above, from where one of them flew down and attacked the Swift repeatedly with its beak. The Swift attempted to ward off the attack with its wings but would probably have been killed had not one of the observers gone to its rescue. It was found to have stab wounds in its shoulder and flank and was obviously greatly distressed. Subsequently, after some nine hours, the bird recovered and was released. From this date until the evening of May 13th no Swift was seen to attempt to enter the nesting site. One bird then made as though to enter but was chased away by a Starling, which was perched near by. This was repeated from time to time for four days ; on some occasions the Starlings chased the Swifts, on others they displayed by flicking wings and jumping from side to side. On 90 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Ma}’ 17th one Swift entered the roof and the performance of May hth was repeated, but this time the birds were quickly disturbed and the Swift was able to fly off. On May i8th at 8.00, a Swift at last successfully entered the roof and several were seen to do so in the evening when some birds stayed in the roof from where they answered the screams of the birds flying over. However, at times -scuffling was still heard from within the eaves. On May 20th a Swift was found lying on the lawn at 8.30 (it was not there at 8.00) in a distiessed condition. It was kept in a box until ii.oo, when it was released as it appeared to have recovered. Three pairs of Starlings nested in the roof this year ; the hrst young fledged on May i6th, and the last young had left the roof on May 19th. This is the first time that this behaviour has been seen, though this nesting site has been under observation for three years when both Starlings and Swifts have bred successfully. The Handbook mentions that Swifts have been known to attack birds such as Starlings, but in this case the roles would appear to have been reversed. D. and M. Summers-Smith. THE CONDUCT OF STARLINGS IN A TRAP. I WAS interested in Mr. C. L. Collenette’s theory {antea, vol. xliii, pp. 368-9) that Starlings (Siumus vulgaris) caught singly are more likely to scream than those trapped when in the company of others. The figures which he advances seem reasonably convincing, but I must say that mine tend to disprove his conclusions, for of 62 Starlings, every one of which I trapped separately, only 2 gave the harsh, screaming alarm-note when handled. K. G. Spencer. [Mr. Spencer has pointed out {in lilt.) that individual birds differ markedly in temperament, some reacting violently, others scarcely at all, to similat situations. Nevertheless, we invite trappers to pay attention to this point, bearing in mind, of counse, that most Starlings will scream if roughly handled.—Ens.] The theory advanced {antea, vol. xliii, p. 374) to account for the screaming of trapped Starhngs {Sturnus vulgaris) is undoubtedly an attractive one. All ringers will have met with the occasional screaming bird. In my own experience, the species most commonly given to this kind of demonstration is the Song-Thrush {Turdus ericetorum), to which the theory would hardly apply. Blackbirds {Turdus mertda) too, will sometimes scream. I have found that it is usually juvenile birds which do so. I have also had single cases of Song-Thrush and Robin {Erithacus rubecula) uttering a low sub-song when handled This, like the vicious pecks which some tits give and the calls of many birds when relea.sed, would .seem more like a gesture of defiance. I must confess that 1 have not previously kept records to show whether a screaming Starling was caught singly or as one of a batch ; but during the days, December 31st, 1950, to January 3rd. 1951 (inclusive), out of thirty-five Starlings trap]>ed five screamed,' VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 91 but did not at all support the theory. Two of the five were caught singly, the other three being in batches of six, three and two, and only 111 the last instance was it the bird released last, which screamed, 'that the screaming of birds, when handled, denotes fear, there seems little reason to doubt, but not, I think, fear of being alone in a gregarious bird nor a call to the remainder of the flock for help. R. F. Dickens. STARLINGS STRIKING SURFACE OF WATER ON WAY TO ROOST. On November 27th, 1949, unusual behaviour was noted among Starlings {Sturnus vulgaris) roosting at Mickle Mere, near Thetford, Norfolk. The roost, of some 7,000-8,000 birds, was situated on the north side of the lake in a wild area of dense reed and sedge with some willow scrub. Birds began arriving at 15.27 and from this time onwards flocks were continuously recorded flighting in, mainly from the north-east, although some came from a southerly quarter and a few from the east. By 16.00 a main flock of c. 5,300 birds was assembled, per- forming mass aerial evolutions over the water. At 16.03 d descended swiftly and noisily into the roost. Two minutes later, a flock of c. 100 birds came in from the south-west, low, to the roost. By this time, it is to be noted, lighting conditions were bad, with the night drawing quickly on. After this time further small flocks were noted flying in low over the water from the south-west. It was remarkable that many birds would strike the water, usually at a distance of some 10 to 30 yards from the. water’s edge. In some cases birds quickly took off, continuing on their way into the roost, but in others, birds would scuttle forward flapping along the surface for some distance before being able to take off. The following timings were made of this behaviour : — 16.08. Most birds in two flocks, each of 50 birds, struck the surface. 16.09. Ten birds, three birds and the majority of a flock of c. 60 birds struck the surface. 16.12. Six birds struck the surface. 16.25. Flock of c. 30 birds struck the surface. D. V. Butt and A. E. Vine. GREENLAND REDPOLL IN NORFOLK. On December 31st, 1947, whilst I was bird-watching on the North side of Breydon Water, Norfolk, a redpoll was seen feeding amongst sedges on a small salting, a short distance to the east of Bemey Arms. The bird was obtained by myself, as closer examination was considered necessary to establish its correct identity. The skin was sent to the late B. W. Tucker, who subsequently identified it as being a Greenland Redpoll [Cardiidis flammea rostrata). This is apparently the first occasion on which a bird of this race has been 92 BRITISH BIRDS. [vOL. XLIV. recorded in England, all other records being from Scotland or ’'"‘“'X'- T. R. Evans. GAPE-FLANGE COLOUR OF YOUNG KEF;U-BUNTINGS. On June i8th, 1950, we found in Sutherlandshire a Reed-Bunting’s {hmberiza schceniclus) nest containing five nearly fully-fledged young. '/■/ them had the gape-flanges yellowish- white as described in J he H andbouk , but those of the other two were a bright golden- yellow and made a very strong contrast to their Jiestmates. So far as one could see there was no difterence of size, plumage or state of growth between the birds such as might suggest a difterence in age or sex. Is or would the parents seem to have been stimulated into putting a greater share of food into the brighter gapes. Derek Goodwin and R. W. Hayman. “ FORCE-OF-HABIT ” BEHAVIOUR OF HOUSE-SPARROWS During the early weeks of 1950, a flock of House-Sparrows (Passer domeskcus) roosted under the roof of an old bandstand on Wood- house Moor, Leeds. On the morning of March 14th, however, demolition of the building was begun, and by mid-afternoon the entire structure had been removed. Towards dusk the incoming sparrows began to alight on bushes near by, and I watched mdivi- duals and little parties repeatedly sally out to the spot in mid-air where their roosting-places used to be, and then veer back again to the bushes. They obviously had difficulty in “ realizing ” that the bandstand was no longer there. I hey finally settled down to sleep in the shrubs, and by the next evening weie evidently resigned ” to this new position, for no liehaviour similar to the above was obser\^ed. K. G. Spencer. HOUSE-SPARRO\A' USING THE SAME NEST TWICE IN ONE SEASON. On May iSth, 1950, 1 ringed three nestling House-Sparrows (Passer domeskcus) out of a clutch of three eggs in a nest in ivy on a young holly at Sway, Hants. On re-visiting the nest on July 5th I was surprised to find one egg and four dead unringed nestlings about half grown. A similar case occurred later in the same season. On or before May 30th, 1950, a nest was being built in an outbuilding used as a garage at Hazelhurst, Sway, Hants ; on July 4th there were four eggs, which hatched on July 5th and 6th ; one young died in the nest, one disappeared and subsequently the remaining two also disappeared between July nth and 14th. On August ist there was one egg and three young about three days old in the same nest, which had, I think, been built up a little higher since the first brood. Fgg and young disappea-ed between August 4th and ^ ■ Edwin Cohen. ( RESTED LARK IMITATING CALLS OF REDSHANK GREENSHANK and GREEN SANDPIPER. •Messrs. Bariett, (..onder, and Thompson, in their paper on the ( rested Lark {(ralerida cnsiafa) (autca, vol. \li, pp. 162-166) list a British Birds, Vol. xliv, PI. 9. tj c/5 in o o o A ^ British Birds, Voi. xliv, PI. lO V v' * t Sl V Sma.n-I )iTKs {Tii(/nni(i lailonut) m rc.N a imni; .an hoiik hi.;i-okic sunsI';-: None Tiiii coo.sK-i.iKie sir.iiouKXTu. {Photographrt/ by 1<. .\. II. Coomhks). British Birds, Vol. xJiv, PI. 11. Migrant Sheld-Ducks (Tadorna tadorna) over jMorecambe Bay, seen AGAINST THE NIGHT SKY AT 22.00. {Photographed by R. A. H. Coombes). British Birds, \ ol. xliv, PI. ]2 PiN'r.ui. (.liuis (iriil(i). (i'ppicr) Ni<;st ,\.ni) i^r.cs, XorI'Di.k, m)5<'. (i.o\vi;r) I hk s.\mk ,\i:st siiowi.m; dow.v ov};r ti DICK ON I.K.WINC,. {1‘linto‘^i-aphctl hv j. (i. W.crnkr). (Sci‘ p, 106). ICC.OS HV I'l VOL. XLIV.J NOTES. 93 number of species whose calls and songs were simulated by this lark in Germany and Poland ; while T. A. W. Davis {loc. cit., vol. xlii, pp. 85-86) records imitation of the calls of Red-wattled Lapwings {Lobivanellus tndicus) in Iraq. While in the Bitter Lake area of Egypt, from May, 1949, to April, 1950, without paying a great deal of attention to the matter, I noted on several occasions imitations of the tu-tu-tu of the Redshank {Tringa totanus) by a number of larks. One bird, at least, also commonly imitated the tew-tew-tew call of the Greenshank [T. nebularia), and once the "tweet-tweet-tweet” note of the Green Sandpiper {T. ochropus). All three of these species occurred not uncommonly in season in the area. The Crested Lark which had uttered Greenshank and Green Sandpiper notes, also responded immediately to a " whee-oo-weet ” whistle from me with a similar whistle. K. E. L. Simmons. COLOUR VARIATION IN TITS. With reference to the recent notes [antea, vol. xlii, p. 215 ; xliii, p. 295) on plumage variation in the Coal-Tit [Parus ater), l’ think I can explain this phenomenon, for I have trapped both Blue Tits {Pat'us ccefuleus) and Great Tits {Parus mujoy) with a similar colouring, but have failed to note all of them. The following two records from my diary for 1949 do, however, give full details. During January, 1949, a Blue Tit was seen almost daily, near Sunnmghill, Berkshire, with distinct black bars across the breast and flanks. On January 21st it was trapped, and was found to have most of the yellow ends to the feathers in these regions worn off, exposing the dark basal two-thirds. In December of the same year, a Great Tit was trapped which had all the breast and flank feathers abraded in this way, producing an entirely black- breasted appearance both in the hand and in the field. It is difiicult to account for this abrasion. The Blue Tit men- tioned above was observed to be particularly pugnacious and refused to tolerate any other bird near the particular trap in which it was caught. On one occasion another Blue Tit did enter, when it was immediately attacked by the dark-breasted bird, and the trespasser was rescued only just in time to save it from an untimely demise. John Ash. DISPLAY-FLIGHT OF SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. On July 5th. 1949. ^ Spotted Flycatcher {Muscicapa striata) was noted, calling in an upper branch of a dead tree in a belt bordering a road on the outskirts of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Another bird was then seen to fly across the road at tree-top height towards it, its wings fluttering very rapidly and once being held momentarily above its back in the shape of a V. It then alighted on the back of the perched bird, presumably a female, whose body was pressed flat along the horizontal branch. Coition then took place, accom'- panied by calling on the part of the female. I can find no mention of similar behaviour in The Handbook. D. V. Butt. BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. XLiv. [Demonstrative behaviour of this kind is apparently unusual in this species. — Eds.] WINTER SONG OF CHIFFCHAFF. With reference to Mr. H. G. Alexander’s letter on song periods {antea, vol. xliii, p. 32), I wish to record that wintering Chiflchaffs {Phylloscopiis collybita) certainly do sing much earlier than is indicated by the song chart in The Handbook. On February nth, ^949' ^ heard a Chiff chaff in full song near Penzance 1 on Noveniber 19th, 1949, at Hoe Pool, Cornwall, I heard a bird in full song ; and on January 19th, 1950, I heard one in full song at Penzance. J. E. Beckerlegge. [Several other observers have reported on this subject, notably Mr. R. G. Adams, who had a bird under regular observation at ^y^pstone, Devon, in the early months of 1949* This bird was first heard singing on January 21st, 1949, and thereafter song was regular up to and including March 14th. On January 29th it was singing during a thick fog and on the 31st in frost. Mr. E. G. Holt has supplied three February records from Somerset. Oil the other hand, Mr. N. H. Wilson states that song, on February 27th, 1950, was quite exceptional for Co. Limerick, where, apparently, wintering birds are usually silent. — Eds.] " NORTHERN ” CHIFFCHAFFS IN THE BRITISH ISLES DURING THE WINTER, 1949-50. In addition to the records, published elsewhere (p. 86), of Chiffchaffs {Phylloscopus collybita) wintering in the British Isles, we have received reports of birds believed to belong to either the Scandina- vian {Ph. c. abietinus) or the Siberian race (PA. c. tristis). It will be recalled that a bird believed to be of the latter race was observed on Steep Holm in September, 1949 {vide antea, vol. xliii, p. 187). We have also had a report from Mr. Hugh Thomson that in September, 1949, and again in 1950, at Churt, Surrey, he heard a Chiffchaff uttering a long drawn out see — oou * note, so striking and powerful as to attract the attention of non-omithologists.” There was, however, nothing in the bird’s appearance to suggest that it did not belong to the typical race. We have submitted those notes to Mr. Kenneth Williamson whose comments follow the records. It will be seen from his remarks that it would be unwise to attach subspecific names to those birds, and we have therefore used the word “ Northern ” at Mr. William- son’s suggestion. It should, however, be noted that the late B. W. Tucker commented on Mrs. Gough’s record from Co. Galway that it probably constituted “ as definite an identification of the Siberian race as is obtainable.” The Editors. Devon. On January 22nd, 1950, near the R. Otter in S. Devon, my wife and I watched for more than five minutes a bird which believe was a Scandinavian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita abietinus). VOL. XLrV.j NOTES. 95 The bird was flitting about in a small group of gorse bushes beside the river and we stood within eight or ten feet of it. Occasionally it came to the top of the bushes and once it perched for a moment on a wire fence near by. Its greyish-white appearance was very striking, its upper-parts being greyish-brown and the under-parts entirely white without the slightest tinge of yellow. Its biU and legs were black. It uttered an occasional monosyllabic note of good volume which did not give an impression of plaintiveness. It was observed to hawk for insects in a manner which reminded us somewhat of a Spotted Flycatcher {Muscicapa striata). Its size was that of a Chiffchaff. About ten minutes earlier we had observed, through field-glasses, two other Chiffchaffs in a willow tree at a distance of about eight to ten yards. These two birds, though with whiter under-parts than any other Chiffchaffs we have seen, possessed browner upper-parts and were not nearly so greyish-white as the bird described above. It was a bright morning when we saw these birds and the light was very good. J. Mansel Reese. Somerset. During the morning of January 28th, 1950, I was near Durleigh reservoir, Somerset, when I heard a very shrill call which was unfamiliar. Soon I found that this note was uttered by a small warbler which kept to the cover of bushes near by. I had the bird under observation for about a quarter of an hour, in very good light, and at times it was as near as three yards. All the surrounding shrubs were five to six feet in height ; therefore this warbler was always at, or below, eye-level. \^dth the aid of glasses I could see that the head and back were grey-brown, the greyish appearance being very striking. There was a dull buff eye stripe and the under parts were greyish- white with no trace of yellow or buff. The primaries and tail were dark brown and the legs black. The note, uttered at frequent intervals, sounded (to me) like a shrill call of a young chicken and was quite distinct from the usual call of a Chiffchaff {Phylloscopus c. collybita). These distinctive features led me to conclude that the bird was probably a Scandinavian Chiffchaff {Ph. c. abietinus). E. G. Richards. Sussex. On December 12th, 1949, on the east side of the Dyke Road, Brighton, a silent Chiffchaff was observed at a range of about five feet. In the good light conditions — the sky was cloudless, and it was a cold day — it was a very grey-looking bird. The grey-brown' mantle had a slight olive tinge on the rump only ; the wings and tail were a little darker in colour than the mantle ; the whole of under-parts were buffish-white, lacking any trace of sulphur. The eye-stripe was dirty white and the legs were black. L. P. Alder. 96 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Co. Galway. On March ist, 1950, in brambles growing by the edge of a mill stream m Galway City, I noticed a smallish warbler hawking from mid teediiig amongst the brambles. 1 was at once struck by the bird s note which sounded unusual to me, and tit-like. A little later I had the opportunity to show the bird to Major Ruttledge. On seeing the bird and hearing the note, he at once believed the bird to be a Siberian Chihchah {Phylloscopus collyUla trtstis) a subspecies with which he became familiar in Fair Isle. We watched the bird for a considerable time, during which we obtamed excellent views through binoculars at very short raiwe and in very good light. ’ There was no trace of yellow on the under-parts, aU being whitish. 1 he eye-stripe was whitish and the upper-parts greyish-brown. At the carpal joint a trace of yellow was visible at times, and there was a greenish tinge on the wing coverts, and along the primaries Ihe legs were very dark brown or black. The note, rendered tweet by Major Ruttledge, was frequently heard and was strikingly different from that of the typical race. Kathleen Gough. The number of Chiffchafts, obviously of a northern type, observ'ed m Britam during the winter of 1949-50, provides an interesting sequel to the October observation of an unusual passage of these birds at Fair Isle {antea, vol. xliii, pp. 48-49). It looks as if a number ot such birds must have entered the British area and (in some cases at any rate) remained to winter. The question of a correct name for these birds, as I intimated in reporting the Fair Isle migrants, is a difficult one. It is most unlikely that the birds which reached Fair Isle (and, presumably, other parts of Britain) almost simultaneously were drawn from widelv- separated localities in the Chiffchaff’s extensive range, so that some were good Ph. c. abietinus, others equally good Ph. c. iristis, and still others intergrades between. It seems more reasonable to suppose that the birds had a common origin, in the sense that they came from some area, probably in north-east Europe, where the two forms overlap. I wrote “ an area of intergradation,” but as inter- gradation implies a subtle change in characters from one extreme to the other, and as some of the Fair Isle birds approximated very closely to either Ph. c. tristis or Ph. c. abietinus, it would perhaps have been better to have called it ” a hybrid zoije.” Such a situation presents no biological difficulty, and it would explain the hetero- geneity of the Fair Isle and wintering birds ; Ticehurst, moreover, emphasized the unstable nature of abietinus % tristis intergrades {The Genus Phylloscopus (1936). pp. 55-56). A similar situation is known to exist in the Willow-Warbler {Phylloscopus trochilus), as Salomonsen has pointed out {Arkiv for Zoologi, 1945, No. 17) : north and east of the Swedish great lakes typical Ph.'t. acredula aiid the browner and whiter birds long called eversmunni, with characters VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 97 approximatirg to the Siberian race Ph. t. yakutensis, occur side by side in the breeding population, with intergrades between them. It is perhaps significant that whilst Ph. t. yakutensis has never been recorded as a vagrant in this country, the eversmanni-typQ of the Northern Willow- War bier is not unknown. If we regard this as a possible explanation of the situation, then obviously caution must be used in giving these Chiffchaffs a name. To attach a name, given as the result of a properly introduced description, to any bird (wherever it is found) which answers faithfully to that description, may be permissible under most circumstances ; but in the present case it is impracticable to recognize some of these birds as belonging to one subspecies and some to another, as that might give a false impression of what is really happening in nature. It is, too, unfortunate that in this case the names have come to have a strictly geographical connotation among field-workers, as representing a " Scandinavian ” and a “ Siberian ” population (though the type of Ph. c. tristis came from Calcutta, and nobody will ever know where the bird had bred!). In the circumstances, it seems best to refer to those birds which enter the British area on migration as “ Northern Chiffchaffs ” ; and, if the names abietinus and tristis are used at all in describing them, it should be emphasized that they are used merely to indicate a morphological afbnity, without prejudice as to the area of origin of the bird. I do not think much importance can be attached to the call-note : it would be very surprising if races which are not effectively isolated^ but intergrade as these are known to do, possessed clear-cut and distinctive calls, although it is conceivable that a certain note might be common in one population and rare in another. Mr. Thompson's record is of interest in this respect, as his bird seems more likely to have been Ph. c. collybita than a migrant Scandinavian bird ; and yet a similar note was heard from the Irish bird, and we ’have Major Ruttledge’s confirmation of Mrs. Gough’s opinion that this bird had tristis characteristics. There are points in the description of the Devon and Somerset examples, particularly the absence of yellow beneath, which suggest a nearer approximation to tristis than to abietinus, but on their call-notes they appear to have been identified with the latter. It is of interest in this respect that although Ticehurst {op. cit.,y. 105) records that the Yellow-browed Warbler {Phylloscopus i. inornatus) has a single " weest ”, and the race Ph. i. hvmei a disyllabic note, recent observations at Fair Isle have shown that the typical subspecies also uses a double note at times, so it is doubtful if a racial difference in call-note in this species can be upheld. Kenneth Williamson. WILLOW-WARBLER WINTERING IN CORNWALL. In view of the scarcity of published records for the British Isles and the difficulty of visual identification of many warblers out of the song period, the following is fully recorded. 98 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. On January 8th, I949> ^ sunny morning, a leaf warbler appeared out of some foliage on a bank, where it was searching for food, at Penrose, Helston. Even to the naked eye its yellowish-green plumage was cleaner and brighter than that of two Chiffchaffs {Phylloscopus collybita), which had already been seen, and also wintered there. I was able to approach to within about 20 feet and examine it with 6 x 42 binocu- lars. It was very active, but after a long while I was able to satisfy myself that its legs were light-brown in tint, lighter than some dead oak leaves. This bird was seen, during my regular weekly visits, up to February 26th, and the observations are tabulated against those on the Chiffchaffs for comparison. It appeared to be a Willow- Warbler {Ph. trochilus). Willow-Warbler. Chiffchaff. I. Never heard to call. i. Vocal—" hweet.” 2. 3- 4- 5. Clean, bright plumage, greenish yellow. Light-brown legs. Foliage 5 — 6 ft. above the ground preferred. 2. Drab plumage, greenish but lacking yellow tint. 3. Legs appeared black. 4. Markedly arboreal, but often descended to 6-8 ft. above the ground. 5. Not sociable. 6. Habitat much more extensive. Showed some sociability, by feeding at a higher level with parties of Tits occa- sionally. 6. Habitat restricted to a stretch about 150 yds. long. The habitat was very suitable for a wintering warbler. It con- sisted of a length of the drive adjacent to a large stretch of fresh water and bordered on the north side by a high bank thickly wooded with pines, ilex, scrub oaks, and holly bushes. On the south side a long, open space enabled the morning sun to warm the bank where the bird was first, and often later, seen. A long scrub oak and holly wood having a dense clump of bamboos was used as a roost ; the bird retired into the bamboos at about 14.30. A. G. Parsons. WOOD-WARBLERS IN SUTHERLAND. The Handbook states that the Wood- Warbler {Phylloscopus sibilatrix) is unknown as a nester north of Loch Broom, and recently Mr. James Fisher {Bird Notes, vol. 23, p. 258) stated that Coigach in Wester Ross was the most northerly locality known. In view of this it seems worth recording that on June i8th, 1950, we heard Wood-Warblers singing in a thin birch hanger above Loch Merkland and on both the i8th and 25th we heard them in a birch hanger above the south-west shore of Loch Stack at the foot of Ben Stack. Unfortunately we did not realize at the time that their presence was in any way noteworthy and did not make further investigations. VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 99 There seems, however, every reason to suppose that the birds heard were breeding summer residents. Both these localities are about 22 miles N.E. of Coigach. Derek Goodwin and R. W. Hayman. NOTES ON BEHAVIOUR OF BLACKBIRD. With reference to the notes on Blackbirds {Turdus merula) carrying nesting material in autumn {antea, vol. xlii, p. 59 vol. xliii, p. 229) and on sub-song of female Blackbird {antea, vol. xliii, p. 388), the following may be of interest. From 1942 until June, 1949, when she was killed by a Sparrow- Hawk {Accipttet nisus) I had a female Blackbird in the garden, who became very tame and whose daily record I have kept for the last five years. During October and November I often used to hear her sing a sub-song similar to that of a male or juvenile bird. I used to think that sometimes she sang in response to a Robin {Erithacus mbecula) singing at the same time. The song is not unlike that of a very subdued continuous Robin song. I have had them both singing together within a few inches of me. Sometimes the Blackbird used to sing while standing on the ground. In very mild weather, at this same time of year, I have watched her collect a beakful of dried grasses and roots as if she was about to build a nest, but I never actually saw her commence to do so. In July, 1948, she had a nest on some railings which contained 3 eggs. Two eggs hatched and when the young were a week old a rat or squirrel pulled them out of the nest. I found one dead, and the other hanging head downwards at the foot of the railings. They were both badly bitten, but as one showed signs of life I brought it into the house, thinking that it would only be eaten if I put it back in the nest. I brought it up by hand and it turned out to be a young cock bird. From the time I let him out of his cage in August of that year (he had of course been flying about in the house before then) he has been free to come and go as he pleased. From August 19th to October 26th he continued to return to his cage to roost at night. On November ist he completely disappeared and was not to be found anywhere until November 22nd when he reappeared in a state of great excitement. From that day to this he has never left the place ard is in and out of the house every day. He started to sing a weak sub-sorg on October 23rd, fourteen weeks and five days after he was hatched. From January 13th, 1949, he took to coming into the house and singing, sometimes on my knee, for a quarter of an hour on end in what appeared to be a semi-comatose state. This generally terminated in a bout of wing- and leg-stretching with a return to normal alertness. He continued singing nearly every day, his song, though still a sub-song, gaining in strength and length. By February 7th he was singing for more than half an hour on end and “ chuckling ” quite a lot. 100 BRITISH BIRDS [VOL. XLIV, It was not until March loth, a cold and frosty day, that he first snatch of adult song. He had a fine distinctive song which he continued for a time to intersperse with short periods of sub-song. I did not notice him singing any sub-song last autumn until November 30th, when he again began a subdued warble. He has sung only very occasionally this winter (194Q-50) and had not started his full song by March iith. The father of this young bird is still with us. The parents were mated at least 5 years ago and seemed to be paired for life. As far observe they never left the near vicinity of the garden, and held the same fairly sharply defined nesting territory all the years we had them. They were constantly together through the year. 1 do not know how old the hen bird was when she was killed, but 1 remember she was an adult bird in 1942, and was to all appear- ances m her prime when caught by the Sparrow-Hawk. She had young birds in her fourth nest of the year at the time. The cock bird continued to feed them but they were taken by a stoat. V. J. MacNair. BRITISH-BRED SWALLOW SUMMERING IN NORWAY. The return of the Swallow {Hirundo nistica) to the same breeding- place or same area is so abundantly proved b}^ the recovery of ringed birds, that the following striking case of deviation from the usual practice seems worthy of a special note. A Swallow ringed as a nestling (BN 767) in the Isle of Man on August nth, 1949, was found dead through colliding with electric wires on June 20th 1930 at Driva, Norway (62° 30' N., 9° 36' E.). The return of the ring' together with the description—" a glossy blue bird, with long tail- feathers ’’—leaves no room for suspicion of the record’s accuracy. E. P. Le.\ch. TAWNY OWLS EOUND DROWNED. With regard to the drowning of Tawny Owls {Strix aluco) (antea vol. xhii, pp. 157, 338-9) in water butts, garden-tanks and pools’ etc., it IS apparently not generally appreciated that this species is very fond of bathing, and that this habit is regularly indulged in. Doubtless the unfortmiate birds referred to had entirely misjudged the depth of the water. I have kept this species in captivity for many years, and have one now 13 years old. This bird stands waist deep in a shallow pan of water, especially provided for this purpose, drinks, and repeatedly ducks, immersing both its head and shoulders, only coming out when the plumage is thoroughly saturated to seek a perch and dry off by shaking and preening. It is perhaps of interest to note that a younger individual I have, now 3 years 4 months old, has only taken to the water this autumn! when incidentally it first uttered the familiar hoot of this species.’ Up to then its voice was a squeaky monotone and obviously sub- adult in nature. James M. Harrison. VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 101 DISPLAY OF COMMON BUZZARD. As it seems from your editorial note {antea, vol. xliii, p. 226) that Mr. J. A. Nelder’s observation of two Common Buzzards [Buteo buteo) falling together, apparently interlocked, is only the second record of this happening, it may be worth while to record the follow- ing observation made on February 22nd, 1950, near Tavistock, Devon. It was a line and mild day, with a strong S.W. wdnd. Four Common Buzzards were wheeling about and calling at a fair height. Presently two of them joined together and proceeded to fall, one of them upside down, turning round and round and reminiscent of the sails of a windmill, till they were lost to sight over the horizon. I watched this through powerful Zeiss binoculars, and though I could not actually see the claws or feet interlocked, the position of the birds made me think that this was so. At any rate the two birds were closely connected, for they moved like one. G. W. H. Moule. SOFT-PART COLOUR OF LITTLE EGRET AND NIGHT- HERON IN THE BREEDING-SEASON. The phenomenon of colour changes in the soft-parts of various herons in the breeding-season is now well known, but neither The Handbook (Vol. iii) nor Tucker in a recent review of the subject {antea, vol. xlii, pp. 46-50) mentions any such change in the irides and lores of the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) or Night-Heron {Nycticorax nycticorax). Through the kindness of R. H. Greaves of Cairo, on July 31st, 1949, and on March 24th, 1950, I was able to visit the well-known heronry at the Delta Barrage, Egypt, where numerous- Buff-backed Herons {Avdeola ibts), and fewer Little Egrets and Night-Herons, breed. On March 24th, a few pairs of Egrets were in the nesting trees, and several were examined in good light through 8 x 30 binoculars’. All these had the bare skin of the lores a pale violet-pink (not black as given in The Handbook) — of not such a bright colour as the corresponding area in the Buff-backs. Seebohm {History of British Birds, Vol. ii) records that the lores and irides are lavender in colour, but makes no indication of the season of his observations ; he had visited breeding colonies of Egrets and possibly based his statement on observations and/or specimens obtained then. When I was at the heronry in July, a few breeding Night-Herons examined all had the irides crimson as recorded in The Handbook. That this colour may be characteristic of the breeding-season only is indicated by the examination of some birds in the Canal Zone on August 22nd, and October 3rd. The eye-colour of four roosting adults was dark and definitely not crimson. Whistler {Popular Handbook of Indian Birds — 3rd edition, 1941) makes the following remarks on this heron ; “ bare skin from the eyes to the beak yellowish -green, dull kvid in the breeding-season ” — italics mine. K. E. L. Simmons. 102 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. COMMUNAL DISPLAY IN THE SHELD-DUCK. Mr. R. a. H. Coombes {Nature, 164, 1122 ; 31.xii.49) refers to communal gatherings ’ or ‘ parliaments ' of adult pairs ” of Sheld-Ducks {Tadorna tadorna) in May and June. He is of the opinion that such gathermgs are composed of non-breeders. The H andbook also refers to gathermgs of presumably non-breeding birds . . . even m summer.” It appears to me that msufficient attention has been paid to the gathermgs that are to be seen earlier in the season. Coombes {loc. at.) was concerned only with the summer period ; but The Handbook merely mentions that the species is ” thoroughly gregarious,” and that the birds, even when abundant, “ are inclined to split up into smaller flocks and groups.” Later it states that ” displays often occur amongst a number of birds together.” Pairmg-up and the takmg up of territory occur at the end of February and early in March (Dewhurst, Brit. Birds, vol. xxiv, p. 66 ; Boase, op. cit, vol. xxviii, p. 218 et seq.) while egg-laying- does not occur until late April or even early May {Handbook). Gatherings seen between early March and late April will therefore consist mainly of birds which are going to breed. On Chichester Harbour during this period I have noticed that the birds gather regularly in certain fields and along certain sheltered stretches of shore (as weU as sometimes on the water). Sometimes all the birds in a gathering are merely resting between feeding periods ; but quite frequently sexual behaviour can be observed. This includes typical male displays to females (notably postures (3) and (4) in The Handbook, vol. iii, p. 222), and hostile chases, usually at least of one male by another, with the aggressor in threatening attitude with neck stretched out horizontally. Quite often a number of birds are displaying to or threatening each other at the same time. I would suggest that the persistence of the gregarious habit after pairing up and the staking out of territory have taken place, secures that display and threat shall be in large measure communal. This, as Fraser Darling and others have shown, raises the psycho- logical cmd physiological effectiveness of the display and enhances its stimulative value. There are various ways in which this social effect can be realized. In some polygamous species such as Ruff {Philomachus ptignax) and Blackcock {Lyrurus tetrix), the males occupy special display grounds which are visited by the females. In the Herring-Gull {Lams argentatus) there are occasional communal displays in the form of an aerial dance in which a large flock visits most of the separate display grounds of the pairs which make up the colony. In many social birds (Herring-Gulls, auks, etc.) display appears to stimulate other birds psychologically ; it may actually be ” infective ” in that the sight of its occurrence may prompt others to begin displaying themselves. In the House-Sparrow {Passer VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 103 domesticus) the display of one male “ infects ” others, so that a group of males will be displaying together before a single female. In the Oyster-catcher {HcBmatopus oslralegus) the identity of threat and epigamic display often leads to the formation of “ piping parties,” from three up to quite a large number of birds. And in the Sheld-Duck, as suggested above, the persistence of the gregarious habit into the early part of the breeding season is the chief factor. It would be interesting to make a comparative study of the methods employed to ensure this social reinforcement of the effect of display, and to relate them to other factors in the biology of the various species concerned. Julian S. Huxley. VOICE OF THE SHELD-DUCK. With reference to the note on the above subject {antea, vol. xliii, p. 90) and Editorial comment, I question whether the “feeble whistle ” described is in itself a special note though the function of the caU is different from that of similar calls given in The Handbook. I have heard a clear whistle used on occasions as well as the softer caU reported by Mr. Meiklejohn. On January ist, 1950, two pairs of Sheld-Duck {Tadorna iadorna) flew overhead at no great height and the females gave the “ ak-ak-ak ” note, while the males gave what I should term a clear whistle. Shortly afterwards a party consisting of both sexes were driven from their feeding grounds and flew past me at over 100 yds. distance. Again I heard several birds give a clear whistle. On April 23rd I particularly listened to pairs and parties which I put up at close quarters on several dozen occasions. In paired birds thfe females always gave the ak-ak-ak note while the males sometimes rose silently, or gave a soft whistle which was audible, only up to a range of 30-40 yds., or gave a clear whistle which was audible up to about 150 yds. On the same day I witnessed a light between two paired males and both gave a more excited version of this note. The louder version of the note recorded by Mr. Meiklejohn, which I have mentioned here, is not very different from the whistles referred to in your editorial comment. The only apparent difference is the emotional tone. I would add, that the soft call is often difficult to detect above the steady whistle of the wings when a bird rises. E. H. Gillham. DOWN-STRIPPING BY SHELD-DUCK AWAY FROM NEST-SITE. The habit of the Sheld-Duck {Tadorna tadorna) of removing some of its body down while sitting, and incorporating it in the nest, is well-known. The removal of down at places away from the actual nest appears to have gone unrecorded. During the past two breedmg seasons I have, with increasuig frequency, come across small quantities of Sheld-Duck's down lying on the ground in various parts of the fresh marshes and 104 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL, XLIV. saltings of North Kent. The amounts found have varied, from small tufts scattered thinly on the ground over a small area, to the rough equivalent of up to four large down powder-puffs (as generally used by women), lying m a compact or loose heap. In all except one or two cases, feathers have been noticeably absent, which seems to rule out the possibility of removal during normal preenuig and toilet. I made a particular point of examining as many preening places as possible in 1950, but usually found not more than odd sprays of down among the usual feathers. In the few instances where larger quantities of down have been found in conjunction with feathers, I would suggest that these may be cases of down extraction on a preenmg site or vice versa. In 1949 I found quantities in different parts of the marshes on June 15th, 19th and 26th. The following year I was especially vigilant and although I began lookhig with regularity from late April onwards, it was not until May 27th that the first quantities were found. After that I found further amounts on Tune 4th iith, 22nd and 25th. The down was most often to be found along the edges of the fleets or runnels where pairs or small parties were constantly present. In several instances it was located by flushing pairs or groups and proceeding directly to the spot whence they flew. These notes are intended to bring this habit to the notice of observers so that it may be followed up in other areas. While no explanation supported by further observational evidence can be given at the moment, it should be mentioned that in parts of the Noith Kent marshes the Sheld-Duck is a common species in the breeding season, but paired non-breeding adults seem to form a very large proportion of the total number, a fact pointed out by Mr. R. A. H. Coombes {vide Ibis, Vol. 92, pp. 405-418). It would be interesting to know whether the stripping of down is carried out by non-breeding or breeding birds, or both, and for what reason it is removed. E. H. Gii lh.4M. [We have submitted Mr. Gillham’s note to Mr. R. A. H. Coombes, who has made the following comments : — Mr. Gillham s study of this point is more extensive than mine, but in Lancashire I also have found these larger tufts of down without feathers, and they were always on marshes or places frequented daily by pairs of non-breeding Sheld-Ducks. From this I surmized that they were plucked out by the females of such pairs, at the time when a breeding female would add down to the nest! The age or ages of these non-breeding Sheld-Ducks is still unknown' because specimens cannot be collected in close time under existing law.”— Eds.] ' ^ PINTAIL BRItEDlNG IN NORTH KENT. The breeding of single pairs of Pintail {Anas acuta) in the Nortli Kent marshes has already been i'eported {untea, vol. xli, pp. J12— 3 VOL. XLIV. NOTES. 105 and vol. xliii, p. 159). In 1950 five or six pairs are considered to have attempted breeding, which was successful in several cases. Locality No. i. On May 7th L. C. Batchelor and I were searching a marsh for ducks’ nests when a duck Pintail, which was clearly identified, rose some forty feet ahead. Proceeding to the spot we found a nest with four eggs in a completely open situation. The nest consisted of a small pad of dried grass and a small piece of dried reed. I learnt from a shepherd that this nest was destroyed by cattle about four or five days later, and on many subsequent visits this pair was not seen again. On May 14th I was crossing an adjacent marsh when a duck Pintail half crawled, half fluttered, “ injury feigning ” along the ground almost at my feet. The nest, a few feet ahead, was in an open situation and contained eight eggs. Later in the day I was able to show this nest to L. C. Batchelor and Dr. J. S. Carter, who had excellent views of the duck, which walked away from the nest at our approach, and then flew off a short distance. There were nine eggs subsequently, and shortly before hatching date, this nest was well hidden by a thick growth of tall thistles. Up to two pairs of Pintail and two odd drakes were seen in the vicinity throughout April. On May 21st L. C. Batchelor, R. B. Sibson, Dr. J. D. Mills and I were searching another marsh just over a mile away, when a duck Pintail “ feigned injury ” along the ground at my feet as she left a nest which contained nine eggs. The duck remained in the vicinity, and excellent views were obtained by all present. This nest, which was also quite open, was “ walled ” with a mixture of pieces of dried grass and down. (It should be mentioned here that the second nest was quite different, and when inspected shortly before approximate hatching date, it consisted of a pad of dried grass with a layer of down on top of the grass. The down was flattened by the eggs to form a pad.) The eggs in the third nest appeared well incubated. A pair of Pintail had been seen in the vicinity of this nest-site by Dr. J. S. Carter and myself during the first three weeks of April. An inspection of the last two nests on June nth seemed to indicate that the eggs had hatched, as only small dry pieces of shell remained, while on June 25th one of the ducks, thought to have been the owner of the third nest, was seen in a waterway a short distance from the site. By her anxious behaviour there was no doubt that young were in the reeds. She flew around, often within a few feet, or swam up and down the ditch to a point where she could keep us in view. These actions persisted all the time we were in the vicinity. Locality No. 2. On July 9th L. C. Batchelor, A. H. Lukes, and T watched seven 106 BRITISH BIRDS. I VOL. XLIV. Pintail feeding together on a fleet. Close examination revealed one to be an adult male in eclipse. The others resembled the duck, and there is little doubt that they were a family party. When disturbed they flew strongly. This locality is seven miles farther east, and is not so closely watched as other areas. A pair was suspected to have attempted breeding here in 1947. Locality No. 3. This locality is some twelve miles to the east of the previous one. On June 25th L. C. Batchelor, H. A. MacPherson and 1 had excellent views of a brood of seven Pintail which were not fully grown. For a short while they remained on the open water in full view, but oii close approach swam into some thick sedge where they remained. Near by, we flushed an adult female which flew oft a short distance without any demonstration. About half a mile farther along the same fleet we saw what we at first thought were three adult Pintail resting on the bank. By making a detour we came close and saw them on the ground. They appeared to be fully grown youngsters, an opinion which was strengthened by their sluggish or rather awkward take-off when disturbed. Their rise into the air was followed by a temporary loss of height, behaviour almost exactly similar to that of the three youngsters I saw last year. In this area I saw two pairs, an odd male, and an apparently unattached female on April 8th. At that time their close attach- ment to the fleet was noted. Such behaviour is not normal with transient or wintering birds. “ Injury Feigning "from Eggs. As The Handbook does not mention any records of “injury feigning ’’ in the European race it is perhaps worth mentioning that behaviour similar to the two instances described above was witnessed by Abel Chapman and his brother (Butler, Birds’ Eggs of the British Isles (1908), p. 65, quoting Ibis, 1894, pp. 349-50) in West Jutland in 1893. They found many nests of the Pintail and in some cases the old duck when flushed from the eggs half flapped and half ran away over the ground. So rapid and peculiar was the motion in one case, that Abel Chapman imagined for an instant that some quadruped was trying to escape from their feet, thus simulating a type of distraction display found in certain waders and recently described as the " Rodent-run ” {Ibis, vol. 92, pp. 27-33). E. H. Gillham. [On June 14th, 1937, on the island of Oland, Sweden, I disturbed a Pintail duck with a brood of six quarter-grown young among the heather growing near a pool. As the young flapped out onto the water she ran about among the heather with drooped wings in what was obviously a “ distraction display ". — A.W.B.] PINTAIL BREEDING IN NORFOLK. The breeding of a pair of Pintail {Anas acuta) in Norfolk in 1949 has already been reported {antea, vol. xliii, p. 159). In 1950 a pair VOL. xi.rv.J NOTES. 107 nested again within a few feet of the previous year’s site. I found the nest on April 23rd, when it contained eight eggs. Unfortunately there was a spell of heavy rain in early May, and when I visited the nest on the evening of May 6th I found the nest waterlogged and the eggs lying in water. Much of the surrounding marshland had been flooded and nests of many other species had suffered a similar fate. Photographs taken by Mr. J. G. Warner (plate 12) illustrate the duck’s habit of covering the eggs with down on leaving the nest Robin M. Harrison. “ INJURY FEIGNING ” BY TUFTED DUCK. In July, 1950, at Wilstone Reservoir, Tring, I flushed a female Tufted Duck [Aythya fidigula) from a nest under a clump of grass. The nest contained ten eggs which hatched a week later. The bird squattered across the water in a semi-circle for about thirty yards, before taking flight. There is only one record of this habit in The Handbook and this in The Additions and Corrections. J. N. Hobbs. [We have published {antea, vol. xxxix, p. 377) one other record of '' injury feigning ” in this species, with the comment that " we suspect it is not really very unusual.” The comment still seems reasonable, but the lack of subsequent records is rather surprising. — Eds.] AGGRESSIVE DISPLAY OF FULMAR PETREL. At about 20.00 on July nth, 1950, whilst I was on a herring trawler in the North Sea, a Great Skua {Stercoraruis skua) was seen to follow a Fulmar Petrel {Fulmarus glacialis) as it circled the trawler. The Fulmar then alighted on the water and immediately half opened its wings and held them stiffly above its back, and with tail fanned, and plumage raised, and with its head back almost between the wings, it swam round in the water so as continually to face the now circling skua. It remained in this position for about two minutes, and at no time did the skua attack the Fulmar ; the latter was never seen to pick up any food previous to the skua following it. T. R. Evans. [Mr. James Fisher informs us that the display described by Mr. Evans is ” the fulmar’s normal attitude when ‘ seeing off ’ other birds, whether of its own or other species, from fatty prey.” He has records of many other instances for his forthcoming mono- graph on the species. A case similar to the above has been described by Richard Perry in his Shetland Sanctuary (p. 123). — Eds.] FLIGHT-DISPLAY OF BLACK-HFADED GULL. Mr. Edwin Cohen [antea, vol. xliii, p. 26), when describing a stalling flight-display in the Black-headed Gull [Larus ridibundus) suggests that this type of behaviour is unusual. My own experiences suggest that this is not the case. A deliberate and regularly stalled flight as Mr. Cohen describes is not infrequent, and is not necessarily connected with breeding 108 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. colonies. Indeed, it seems to be an exhibition of any form of excitement where several birds are present. As an example I would quote the case of an immature bird on October i8th 1047 which was seen in flight over the filter-beds of Whitlingham sewage farm j Norwich, where some twenty other birds were present. It suddenly rose up a few feet in the manner described in the previous note, bringmg its head well up, and while at the peak of the ascent It stalled and swept down, only to continue to rise and stall again which it did six times in all. The performance was silent. A more developed form of this display may be seen in the sprini^ as an expression of sexual excitement, both on and oft the colonies Iwo good examples were observed on April 12th, 1950. One was over Raiworth Broad, which is over two miles from the nearest colony. Two adults rose high and began to chase each other. Suddenly the rear one glided down and rose again in a narrow arc When It rose to its former height it stalled and for a second held the wings in a V above its back like a Common Tem {Sterna hinmdo) m display flight. This it did several times, and all the time it kept behind the other bird and maintained a succession of " kwarr’s ”. The pursued bird also called. The display was broken by the arrival of a third adult and all three flew around, high in the air calling noisily. The second instance was at Alderfen Broad, a nesting colony. I wo adults passed across the Broad at ca. ten feet performing the flight in exactly the same way. On April i6th, 195®’. Alderfen Broad a single bird was seen to perform the flight in its most exaggerated form, except that it flew low over the water and on each descent came down fiercely over the area where numerous other birds were bathing. In this case the excitement which evoked the display seemed certainly connected with aggressive tendencies. ‘ R. G. Pettitt A COURTSHIP DISPLAY OF THE BLACK GUILLEMOT. A PARTY of Black Guillemots {Una grylle) were swimming in line on the sea at Fair Isle on April 19th, 1950. It was a fine warm evening and the water was calm. There were no noteworthy actions apart from the customary whistling. The line broke asunder and I concentrated on watching two birds which swam slowly shorewards together, one bird a few feet in advance of the other Shortly, the rear bird rose from the water and flew forward to a position a yard or so ahead of its companion : the wings whirred quickly, the white patches flashing, and the red legs hung down so that the feet skimmed the water. On alighting the bird kept the wings upraised for a second, exhibiting the pale underside \-eiA- much as an alighting wader will do. It then closed the wings, and almost immediately immersed its head and neck, so that the observer saw only an evenly rounded, black bodv relieved bv the contrasting white wing-patches. The second bird also submerged VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 109 the head and neck, and the pair swam thus for a few seconds before adopting the normal swimmhig posture. Again the rearward bird flew to the front, its legs danglmg and pattering on the surface, alighted with momentarily uplifted wings, and then almost at once pushed the head and neck beneath the surface. For several minutes, at irregular intervals, the birds took turn about in leaping forward to the leading position in this picturesque manner, and this behaviour alternated with normal swimming and callmg, and swimming with the head and neck submerged, the last two patterns often being repeated several times before a fresh onset of the hrst activity. The “ leap-frog ” ultimately ceased, but the regular immersion of head and neck for several seconds at a time was continued by both birds. On one occasion they did this whilst practising the circling movement so well-known tV- • displays of this bird (Armstrong (1940), Birds of the Grey mnd) and the Pigeon Guillemot [Cepphus columha) (Storer (194s) IJns, Vol. 87, p. 447). On two occasions one bird rose up ight in the water and flapped the wings rapidly, with a fine display of the white speculum and light under-wing : this action, which is said by The Handbook (Vol. v., p. 162) to be part of the nuptial display was performed in each case by the rearward bird. ’ is a great deal of variation among the display figures of the Black Guillemot, as appears from Armstrong’s account and that in Ihe Handbook, and for this reason I would have hesitated to put the above observation on record had it not been that the behaviour- pattern showed such a highly formalized character. Kenneth Williamson. Marsh-Tit eating pears.— Mr. G. S. Ralston informs us that during the autumn of 1949 a Marsh-Tit {Parus palustris) was regularly observed feeding on the fallen fruit of a French pear tree in his garden at Tunbridge Wells, Kent. There is no record of such food in The Handbook. Great Grey Shrikes in Britain, 1949-50. — We have received from Mr S. C. Davis a full description of a Great Grey ohnke {Lanius excubtiof) which he saw at a gravel pond near Nottingham on October 30th, 1949. Another record for the same county has been sent by Mr. A. Leavesley who saw one — possibly the same individual — between Beeston and Dunkirk on November 17th, 1949. It will be recalled that Great Grey Shrikes were seen at three of the East Coast Bird Observatories on or about October loth {antea, vol. xliii, p. 217, where, however, the record of one at Spurn should appear under Gibraltar Point), and this gives added mterest to a record, supplied by Mr. W. R. P. Bourne, of one at Blakeney Point, Norfolk, on October 6th, 1949. Other records received for the winter 1949-50 are : — Chipstead Surrey, December 28th, 1949 (F. E. Briscoe) : Windsor Great Park' Berks, Eebruary 22nd, 1950 (E. E. Green) ; near Rye House Herts’ March 4th, 1950 (H. B. Fossey) : Cranleigh, Surrey, April 8th, 1950 110 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. (P. A. L. Hartman) ; Brecon Beacons, Brecknockshire, April iith, 1950 (Mr. and Mrs. Rowland E. Rees). It will be noted that the last record is for an area where this species occurs only occasionally. Several records for the current winter (1950-51) have already come in, and we would be interested to hear of others. Records should be sent to the Assistant Editor. Spotted Flycatcher eating earthworm. — Mr. John Denny informs us that on September 8th, 1949, in West Suffolk, he watched a Spotted Flycatcher {Miiscicapa striata) alight on a garden path and seize an earthworm about two inches in length, which it’ subsequently swallowed. The Handbook states that this food has been recorded “ at least twice in hard weather." At the time of Mr. Denny’s observation the weather was exceptionally dry. We have received a similar record from Mr. F. K. Mann who observed a bird at Richmond, Surrey, on July 26th, 1950, which took a small worm to its fully fledged young. Bittern in Warwickshire.^ Mr. M. J. Hirons informs us that a Bittern {Botaurus stellaris) was unfortunately shot near Wolston, , Warwickshire, on February 19th, 1950. He was unable to confirrn | the report that another Bittern had been shot in the same area in | late January. This is the fourth record for the county since 1900. j Brent Geese inland in Yorkshire. — Mr. A. F. G. Walker informs us that on December 5th, 1948, he saw a Brent Goose {Branta hernicla) consorting with other geese by the lake at Ripley Castle, near Harrogate, Yorks. A Brent Goose was seen in the same locality from March 27th to April 7th, 1949. The Y.N.U. Committee for Ornithology Report (1949, p. 19) gives the following additional inland records One at Harewood, February 19th, 1949 ; one at Swinton Park for a period prior to May 15th, 1949 ; a pricked bird at Bretton Park, April 23rd. Garganey in Carmarthenshire. — Mr. Derek Bryson has sent a record of four Garganeys {Anas querquedula) , three males and a female, seen by himself and Mr. J. F. Thomas at Pendine Burrows, Carmarthenshire, on May 8th, 1949- The species is a rare visitor to the county. Fulmar Petrel in Derbyshire.— Mr. Allan P. Eaton reports that on December i8th, 1949, a Fulmar Petrel {Fulmarns glacialis), possibly a juvenile, was picked up dying at Over Haddon, Bakewell, Derbyshire. This constitutes the first record for the county since 1847- Wood-Sandpiper IN Gloucestershire. — Mr. R. H. Poulding has sent details of a Wood-Sandpiper {Tringa glareola) which he observed on the Frampton gravel pits, Gloucestershire, on August 13th, 1949. There are few recent records from the county. Spotted Redshank wintering in Suffolk. — Mr. G. B. G. Benson and Dr. P. R. Westall inform us that on January 28th, VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. Ill 1950, they saw two Spotted Redshanks {Tnnga erythropus) at a coastal marsh in East Suffolk, and subsequently seven together up to February 26th. They record that the birds were unusually silent, uttering rather gruff monosyllabic notes, possibly similar to the ' chu mentioned in The Handbook ”, though they recorded notes more lilce ‘ wit ’ and ' chuck '. Avocet in Nottinghamshire. — Mr. J. Staton informs us that Mr. A. R. Stone found an Avocet {Rec%trvi‘rostra avosetta), apparently adult, at Nottingham sewage farm on August loth, 1949. It was seen frequently till August 22nd. Unusual nest-site of Common Tern. — Mr. S. Allison has informed us that on June 29th, 1949, he found a nest of a Common Tern {Sterna hirundo) at a gravel pit in Nottinghamshire in a large steel drum filled with gravel and protruding a foot or more above the surface of the water. The nest contained two eggs which had hatched by July 14th. REVIEW. The Moult-migration of the Sheld-Duck. By R. A. H. Coombes [Ibis Vol. 02 pp. 405-418). In this paper Mr. Coombes describes work on the Sheld-Duck, which he has carried on as occasion offered over a number of years and intensively throughout the summer of 1949. He had previously found that Sheld-Ducks ^ave Morecambe Bay on the west coast in July, migrate in flocks across England towards the south-east, and depart from the same point and over the same route each year. The sequence of events, the pattern of migration, the factors affecting it and the general behaviour of the migrants, are described in detail. - The account which Mr. Coombes presents may be stated briefly as follows : Dispersal of winter flocks takes place in March, and by the end of that month or early in April there are many pairs of Sheld-Ducks along the coasts of Morecambe Bay. Many of these are non-breeding pairs which frequent the salt marshes, feeding in creeks and pools as well as on the mud flats. Their age is uncertain, but it is assumed that they may be in their second year. They behave as pairs throughout the breeding season, but are very lethargic spending most of the day side by side asleep. In contrast the breeding pairs, which, in the area under observation, are not so numerous as the non-breeders’ are very active ; eggs are usually laid in the latter half of May, hatching in the latter half of June, when the drakes appear to be holding “ territories ” on the shore just before the arrival of the broods which appear on the coast about the end of the month. By the second week in July creches have been formed consisting of several broods of young accompanied by one or two adults Consequently in July large numbers of adult Sheld-Ducks, both non-breeders and breeders which have handed over their responsibilities, are free to form flocks ; indeed, these flocks have been collecting during the second half of June. This flocking may be described as the ‘ build-up ” for the migration which follows. Migratory behaviour begins in the last two hours before sunset. Flocks of Sheld-Ducks aie on the wing irrespective of the stage of the tide and are moving in the same direction towards the head of the bay. Many of these flocks alight along the Keer Channel between Hest Bank and Carnforth and remain there for a shorter or longer time. Then a flock rises from the channel and flies straight and fast towards the point where the sands and salt marshes_end and^Keer emerges from the land. At this point, or often a mile 112 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. rf "y "i I have called the a heiSt of a tLusand W T back into the bay, rising quickly to normX L at sea nr 5 ^ height at which Sheld-Ducks do not 1 many ny at sea or along the coast at other times of the \-ear Flviiw hreher Thete\ ^ turns and heads back again, risinf leaves the bay anVj'^ vSU'ls'thfirntoiT^ -1- many wm°‘pil^o?'' individuals or small parties a i suggests that the purpose of these evolutions is to rest flTrin.r conditions and to get rid of birds which are not ready to nSrSe £t flS ,.coX“ ?r„v;„^‘s aissx the^h conditions, when all the liills were sharply outlined’ aeainst the horizon. The minimum total number seen using thfs route durinf ti^^^^ S°MOTe?aS Bav'^'^It^’ s^ figure far in excess of the summer populltion land crossing. It is thought that they wait for suitable weather conditions as the large.st total mentioned above followed five days of - bid ” or air^ ’ weather, when no migration was seen £Sg ?,T.rcontf„7e 2i™S” lheld'D“'l a!n“mrrjS%m”be«^ gathered together in ine area at the 0^01 grStest” „?„e^^^^^^^ 'll'"® S.^ar„““a‘r'e“hiSe “ »4:adTp„“Se''on" afte^' reached about 900 in the first week of November after which a drop occurs with further peaks in December and Febnmrv A number of other points are raised in this paper and several other routes from the west coast overland to the East coast are suggested It ^thought that prominent landmarks, such as Ingleborough on tlmKeer route mil be used as guides by flocks on 'other routes. The possibility of other roiitls from other assembly grounds, such as the Solway, is briefly discussed We understand that a number of observers took nart in nn inn ■ ■ + . migraNon started in We hope thaT;i‘£a';“l,Vw\rto With Mr. Coombes in this work during ig^r. Details nf Hia nKoa.- ^4.- required will be forwarded on application to the Wildfowl Research I^nsritute* Zoological Museum, Tring. Attention may be drawn ro V institute, (plates 9-n) illustrating kir. Coombes^ worL photogmphs Page Short Notes : — Marsh-Tit eating pears. Great Grey Shrikes in Britain, 1949-50. Spotted Flycatcher eating earthworm. Bittern in Warwickshire. Brent Geese inland in Yorkshire. Garganey in Carmarthenshire. Fulmar Petrel in Derbyshire. Wood-Sandpiper in Gloucestershire. Spotted Redshank wintering in Suffolk. Avocet in Nottingham- shire. Unusual nest-site of Common Tern log Review : — The Moult-migration of the Sheld-Duck. By R. A. H. Coombes ... in Edited by : SHIRLEY FAULKNER-HORNE THE HORSE-LOVERS’ ANTHOLOGY 9 6 net “ ’HAVENS, what a lot of rubbish has been written about ’osses ! ” Despite the immortal Jorrocks’ emphatic censure of equestrian literature, enough excellent material has been found to delight and amuse the reader through 315 pages of the present anthology. Trollope. Dickens, Conan Doyle, Nat Gould, Nancy Mitford and Enid Bagnold are a few whose writings appear. Published by H. F. & G. WITHERBY LTD. BINDING BRITISH BIRDS. VOL. XLIII. The publishers take pleasure in announcing that they are now able to undertake the binding of Vol. XLIII and subscribers who wish to avail them- selves of this service are asked to forward their unbound parts at their convenience. The style of binding will be as for previous volumes and the charge is 7s. 6d. per volume (inc. postage). The publishers are also able to bind volumes of British Birds prior to Vol. XLIII at the same charge of 7s 6d per volume. 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ORNITHOLOGISTS wishing to study the bird-life of North Pembrokeshire should stay at Bancyrhyd Guest-House, Newport, Pern. Four-berth caravan also available by the sea. Terms mod. W. C. Taunton, proprietor. Printed in Gt. Britain by The Riverside Press, Ltd., Twickenham Middx Published by H. F. & G. V ITFIERBY, LTD., 6 Warwick Court, V .C. 1. r' 1 BIRDS AN' ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY TO THE BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST Monthly 2s. Tearly zis. APRIL, 1951 VoL. XLIV. No. 4 Published by H. F. ^ G. Witherby Ltd. BRITISH BIRDS EDITORS. A. W. Boyd, m.c., m.a., f.z.s., m.h.o.u. Norman F. Ticehurst, o.b.e., m.a., f.r.c.s., m.b.o.u. J. D. \\'OOD, B.A., M.B.O.U. Contents of Number 4, Vol. XLIV, April, 1951. PAGE The behaviour of some birds on the British List in their winter quarters or on migration in Southern Rhodesia. By K. D. Smith ... ... 113 Fair Isle Bird Observatory : Notes on selected species. Autumn, 1950. Compiled by Kenneth Williamson ... ... ... ... ... 117 The Index of Heron population, 1950. By. W. B. Alexander ... 123 The use of extruded plastic for colour marking. By R. H. Poulding... 12O The aerial dawn chorus of the Sw^allow. By A. van Beneden and Dr. J. S. Huxley ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 127 Notes ; — The building of a rookery (D. G. Andrew) ... ... ... ... 129 Magpie nesting on concrete pylon (L. P. Alder) ... ... ... 129 Distraction display of Goldfinch (J. H. Owen) ... ... ... 129 Distraction display of Chaffinch (J. H. Owen) ... ... ... 130 Display of House-Sparrow (J. H. Owen) ... ... ... ... 130 “ Variant " Yellow Wagtails in England in 1949 and 1950 (Jeffery G. Harrison and W. W. Wiggins-Davies ; Dr. B. B. Riviere ; Bernard King ; R. A. F. Gillmor and N. G. B. Jones)... ... ... ... 131 Black Redstart in Sussex in 1932 (H. G. Attlee) ... ... ... 132 Hirundines perching in trees with foliage (The Editors) ... ... 132 Feeding behaviour of Green Woodpecker (G. W. H. Moule)... ... 133 Courtship feeding of Green Woodpecker in August (C. Haim) ... 134 Greenland Falcon in Anglesey (T. G. Walker)... ... ... ... 134 •Aerial courtship display flight of some surface-feeding ducks in winter quarters (E. H. Gillham) ... ... ... ... ... 135 May numbers of Fulmars on Shetland cliffs (L. S. V. Venables) ... 13O Nesting of the " Faeroe ” Snipe (G. K. Yeates) ... ... ... 137 •American Pectoral Sandpiper in Hertfordshire (E. L. Arnold) ... 137 Roseate Tern perching in Tree-Mallow and nesting under cover. (A. G. Mason) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 138 Common Terns perching on wires (D. R. Seaward) ... ... ... 139 Late Glaucous Gull in Kent (Dr. James M. Harrison and Jeffery G. Harrison) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .139 Iceland Gull in Skye (Seton Gordon) ... ... ... ... ... 140 Unusual leg-colour of Moorhen (Dr. Stuart Smith) ... ... ... 140 Eear Note of Red Grouse (Alex. Tewnion) ... ... ... ... 140 Short Notes ; — Woodchat Shrike in Cornwall. Winter song of Chiffchaff. Occur- rence of Bitterns during the winter, 1950-51. Divfing of Shovelers. Large numbers of Black-tailed Godwits in Hants. Large number of Redshanks on passage inland. Bill-colour of Roseate Tern ... 140 Reviews : — Notes on the Birds of Warwickshire. By C. A. Norris... ... ... 142 A List of the Birds of the Counties of Galway and Mayo. By Major R. F. Ruttledge ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 142 Bird wonders of Australia. By Alec H. Chisholm ... ... ... 142 News from Nature: a selection of seasonal gossip. By .Alec H. Chisholm ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 143 Winchester College: Report of Natural History Society lor 1947-49 ... 143 Book Received. Letter : — Disablement-reactions of trapped birds (N. C. Moore) ... ... i.|3 BRITI^ BIRDS Number 4, Vol. XLIV, April, 1951. THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOME BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST IN THEIR WINTER QUARTERS OR ON MIGRATION IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA BY K. D. Smith. These notes are intended to extend information available in The Handbook of British Birds. Notes on the warblers and Luscinia luscinia mostly refer to a tobacco farm (1,000 acres, 4,500 feet a.s.l.) 60 miles north-west of Salisbury, in Mashonaland. The farm is typical of the sand-veld, woodland bush with Isoberlinia and Brachystegia spp. predominant, rather sparse undergrowth except around the farm buildings, eucalyptus plantations, extensive stumped clearings for cultivation, rocky kopjes, vleis and small reed-bound streams ; average rainfall about 30 inches between November and mid-April (decreased in recent years). To save confusion I refer to European seasons throughout, and quote, in some cases, from my notes, as the circumstances are not fresh in my mind. An enquiry into winter and passage song of birds which are summer residents, or merely passage migrants in the British Isles may be worth consideration. To take Africa alone, many ornithologists, either residing, or who have resided, on the continent probably possess unpublished notes on the subject, and 1 venture to suggest that accumulated data from all parts of Africa will reveal new facts regarding song, as well as behaviour, habitat etc. W^low-Warbler {Phylloscopus trochilus). Common winter visitor to Mashonaland wherever there are trees. Arrival always hrst detected by song. Dates vary: November 4th, 1938, September 30th, 1939, November 30th, 1940, October, 1948 and Uctober 17th, 1949. Only the last two years refer to the farm, with particular attention to the winter of 1949-1950. Moreau (2! records that birds are usually in small parties in their winter quarters. Parties have been noted here, but individuals are also widespread throughout the bush. One in song on October 17th 1949 (fairly hot, 90° F- in the shade at mid-day; a month prior to the first rams). Numbers rapidly increased ; the bush was alive with the song of these warblers until mid-December, when song became half-hearted and ceased by the end of the month. Song IS often as strong and sustained as in breeding quarters. No song was heard in January although birds were common and often calling ; one was heard in faint song in the evening ebruary 6th, 1950. A remarkable resurgence of song took place 114 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. on the 7th, birds singing- strongly all over the farm. This continued until the end of the first week in March. No song was heard from then until March 20th, although birds were present and often calling. Odd birds were heard in song between then and .April 3rd, but none was seen or heard after this. Song is uttered from sunrise to mid-day, even on the hottest days, and occasionally shortly before sunset. Birds keep very much to the trees throughout the winter. Similar song was noted in the winter of 1948-1949, but no record was made of the precise dates. The question arises as to whether the latter birds heard in song were passage migrants or lingerers in their winter quarters. In Eritrea, between 194- 194S, I saw many passage Phylloscopi, apparently this species, but heard none in song. The evidence tends to show that birds sing regularly in winter quarters in Africa, but little if at all on passage. Priest’s statement “for them to sing here seems almost unheard of’’ is puzzling and probably due to lack of observers familiar with the song. (cf. antea, vol. xli, p. 251). Whitethroat {Sylvia communis). A few passed through the farm on spring passage in 1950. One was in song March 19th and several up until April 7th ; habitat, bushes and low trees. In constant song up until mid-day and again in the evening. Song was uttered with characteristic puffing-out of the throat and slight erection of the head-feathers, fairly harsh and rather subdued ; it seems to lack the volume of song in breeding quarters, to be more musical and more sustained, similar to that of a bird in song in my garden in Eritrea in March, and probably the sub- song. I hrush-Nightingale [Liiscinia luscinia). Uncommon south of the Zambesi, as far as published records go. Spasmodic song heard on the farm from early January, 1950, or perhaps earlier, but not identified until January 27th. In frequent song throughout February and March, last heard on March 26th. Four were regularly heard and less often watched in a hedgerow bordering a lane down which I walked on most mornings to the tobacco lands, and others were often around the farm buildings ; habitat almost entirely confined to dense thickets of lantana {Lantana camara). Originally planted in a garden twelve years ago, this shrub has gone wild and spread widely over a limited area of the farm. It produces a heavy crop of berries during the rains, and is far more tangled and dense than the indigenous wild shrubs. Birds were quite absent from the areas of bush lacking lantana (the majority of the farm) and I consider that the suitable cover provided by this shrub was a probable reason for such a concentra- tion of birds which were apparently absent from the surrounding country. The shrub is also perhaps a source of food, for bulbuls {Pycnonotus tricolor) feed on the berries. VOL. XLiv.] MIGRANTS IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA. 115 The Thrush-Nightingale sings from sunrise to mid-day, often in considerable heat, both in fine and dull weather, but it is not heard in the evening'. Winter song is very loud, melodius and rich. I cannot compare it with the summer song as I have never heard it, but it lacks the vibrating opening notes of the summer song of L. megarhyncha, and consists of a medley of clear musical notes, of which a deep “chooc-chooc-chooc’’ is the easiest to render in words, thrush-like whistles, with a note sounding' like a lioud “h-weet”, and much interspersed with harsh jarring churrs and rattles. There is much variation, some birds being far better singers than others. Very skulking, birds are often in song within a few feet, but concealed by the vegetation. It is best observed in the cool just after sunrise, when it sings at times in exposed places, even in low trees. A good situation for close observation when it is frequenting bushes (always some lantana) is below trees growing on termite-hills. It is seen picking insects oft' the bushes, and at times on the ground, progressing in long hops round the ant-hill. It is very tame and confiding when in full view, which is not often, when the distinc- tive dull mottling or streaking of the bullish chest, white chin and throat with dark sides and dull reddish-brown tail can be seen without glasses at a range of a few feet. It commonly associates with the smaller Zambesi Scrub-Robin (^Erythropygia zambesiana), the two species often hopping around together in the lantana thickets. The four birds heard regularly down the lane appeared to keep territories. Three in song were invariably about loo yards from each other with the fourth 40 yards from the last. They appeared to keep very much to their own clump of lantana, but birds frequenting termite-hills were often absent and in song in the hedgerows. The termite- hills were all isolated in the middle of cultivated lands, and when not frequenting the termite-hills the birds were heard in hedges surrounding the lands, although it was not possible to be sure if they were the same birds or not. In the early morning of March 19th, a few birds were congre- gated in an acre of lantana thickets with open spaces in between the bushes. They were not in song, but were flying across the open spaces from clump to clump with low, excited calls of “tuc- tuc”. I never saw this behaviour or heard this call before, which may have been influenced by the imminence of migration. This was the last date on which I noted more than one, although a solitary bird sang up until March 26th. Swallow [Hirundo rustica). I quote from my notes. “March loth, 1940. Interested in a group of Swallows at the Salisbury airport. About 200 birds were gathered in a flock, and, instead of perching on telegraph wires near by, they chose a bare earth patch about an acre in extent. There was a moderate wind from the north, and every now and then they would all arise with much 116 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. twittering', fly around for a few seconds and then return to the ground, all facing into the wind. This went on continuously, and at times some would perch on a barbed-wire fence. There was much excitement, but no courtship or feeding was witnessed. Males would now and then burst into short snatches of song. Later that evening they had gone. With them were a few Grey- rumped Swallows (Hirundo griseopygd)” . Priest records them as resting in thousands on the roads in Mashonaland on arrival in autum. I have not witnessed this myself. Great White Heron [Egretta alba). The southern race E .a.melanorhyncha (presumably) occurs in suitable places in the country in very small numbers throughout the year, but is not resident as far as I am aware. Normally silent, but one, in company with a Little Egret [E .garzetta) at a dam in October, 1938, uttered a series of harsh double croaks {cf. antea, vol. xliii, p. 125, and vide Ibis (1941), p. 296). Ruff {Philomachus pugnax). In a recent paper {Ibis, in press) I refer to occasional parties of Rulfs being seen in mid-winter in clearings in waterless acacia plains (apart from wells in river- beds) in Eritrea, which appears to be an unusual observation. I add more information regarding winter quarters, and quote from my notes concerning the Zambesi Valley (S. Rhodesian side). “November 14th, 1940. About 10 Rulfs seen running about in a clearing in the middle of stunted mupane bush, half a mile or so from the river (Zambesi), an unusual place as the ground is hard and dry with short stunted grtiss’’. Shortly after this the rains set in. “November 28th, 1940. In the mupane forest any slight depression is now full of water, and Rufls and Wood Sandpipers {Trniga glareola) have resorted to these in preference to the ri\er- flats’’. Mupane forest, the predominant timber of the vast, low-lymg valley, is moderately dense, with areas of almost impenetrable bush much frequented by elephant, bufl'alo, etc. When flushed from the pools the birds flew up through clearings in the trees and away over the forest. Three Green Sandpipers {Tringa ochropus) were also flushed once from a similar forest pool. And situations are perhaps resorted to by Ruffs more often in winter than is supposed. Archer records their occasional appear- ance in British Somaliland in open grassy plains and millet-fields. In Abyssinia large flocks of over 100 appear on passage around Addis Ababa, but keep to the marshlands. Wood-Sandpiper {Tringa glareola). A party of about 50, flying in concerted twisting formation and behaving as a flock, as well as many odd birds, were seen at a small dam near Salisbury on October 30th, 193^’ Elocking of large numbers on VOL. XLiv.] MIGRANTS IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA. 117 migration is mentioned in The Handbook, but the locality seems rather far south for such behaviour. Singletons, pairs or small parties are more usual here. References. 1. Priest, C. D. (i933~I936)- The Birds of Southern Rhodesia. 2. VViTHERBY et al. (1938—1941). The Handbook of British Birds. [The following notes, which have been sent in by Mr. John Shepperd, may appropriately appear as an appendix to Mr. Smith’s article: — Lesser Grey Shrike {^Lanius niinoT^. Heard singing on several occasions in the months November, 1^48, and January to March, 1949, in winter quarters in Southern Rhodesia. Red-backed Shrike {Lanhts collurio). Heard singing on several occasions, November, 1948, and January to March, 1949, m Southern Rhodesia. On January 23rd, 1949, song, similar to that of an adult male, was heard from an immature male. Mhitethroat {Sylvia communis). “On April 2nd, 1949, near Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia, my attention was attracted by the call of a Whitethroat which I was able to watch singing and feeding among some low weeds. The song was very much more of a warble than the typical song, and I was not able to hear it at a distance of much more than 15 yards. The bird continued' to sing while hopping up the surface of a rock”. Shepp.erd’s account of the song of the Whitethroat in winter quarters agrees closely with that given oy Mr. Smith — Eds.] FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY. NOTES ON SELECTED SPECIES, AUTUMN, 1950 COMPILED BY Kenneth Williamson (Director). This contribution follows similar lines to the one published [antea, vol. xlm, pp. 48-52), dealing with the 1949 season: the aim IS not to give a complete record of the appearance of scarce migrants, but to extract from our “Notes on Species” record- book observations which it is felt add something useful to e information especially on field-characters — given in The Handbook of British Birds. Detailed descriptions of the rarer ch that all such records ' Should be supported by the fullest documentation. 118 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Rose-coloured Pastor [Pastor roseus). A single immature bird was in the neighbourhood of the Bird Observatory from August 22nd-30th (nine days). During the first few days it was much in company with the local Starling [Sturniis vulgaris) flock, and rather wild ; but towards the end of its stay it was often observed alone, and became very tame. There was a distinctly pinkish suffusion over the buff of mantle and rump ; the under- parts were greyish-white, and the bill yellow. The bird often stood with a dumpy stance, the head “sunk into the shoulders”; the legs were long in comparison with those of the Starling, and although the normal gait was a walk the bird changed to long springy hops if it wanted to move quickly towards a promising source of food. It more than held its own in competition with the Starlings, who never attempted to withstand its bullying. Red-headed Bunting [Emberiza bruniceps). A male was present on the island from September igth-22nd and was studied by Ian Munro, Dougal Andrew, M. J. Wotton, Ian Mackay, W. Bird and Ian Walker. Notes were made in the field by the four first-named, and the following description was put into shape by Munro, with the assistance of the other observers. The bird ' was seen for a few minutes b}' K. W. on September 21st. Being a male in good plumage, the bird was not at all difficult I to identify. The immediate impression upon sighting it was of t a large, strikingly-coloured bunting with bright yellow under-parts i and reddish head and bib. On a close approach the massive 1 steely-blue bill was a prominent feature. The bird was certainly J larger than a Yellow-hammer [E. citrinella) — but was not quite so ) plump as a Corn-Bunting [E. calandra). The following plumage 1 description was made from notes taken in the field, observing at I various ranges through x 8 binoculars, and also at about ten yards • range through a x 25 telescope. Forehead and crown dark chestnut, finely streaked with dark ! brown; the colour varied as the bird altered its position, the i brighter feather-bases being sometimes visible. Nape, upper sides \ of neck and ear-coverts greenish-brown shading into the crown, flecked yellow on sides of neck and ear-coverts, and with fine i dark striations on nape and sides of neck. Mantle feathers i nigger-brown with fawn margins and tips, though greenish flecking was visible on one occasion when the feathers were wind- ruffled, showing their bases. Lower mantle greenish-yellow I shading into a canary-yellow rump (which, however, looked more greenish-yellow when the bird was in flight). Tail feathers dark nigger-brown with fawn margins and tips : the tail was moderately | forked and showed no signs of abrasion, and was dull white beneath when viewed at close range. Throat, upper breast and lores dark chestnut, a little brighter than the crown, and brighter still when the feathers were wind- ruflled. The feathers of throat and breast had pale brown tips, || VOL. XLiv.] FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY. 119 and the bib was not so extensive as shown in The Handbook plate. Lores and ear-coverts were separated from the breast by a malar band of drab chestnut flecked with yellow. Lower sides of breast, belly, flanks and under tail-coverts a uniform canary- yellow merg'ing" with the g"reenish-brown of ear-coverts and sides of neck. Most of the scapular feathers were g"reenish-brown with small dark centres, creating the effect, when the bird was at rest, of a greenish-brown \ with its apex at the rump (a very noticeable character in the field — -K.W.). The lesser coverts and bastard- wing appeared to be similar. The primaries were nig'g'er-brown with fawn tips and marg-ins, and the secondaries and g-reater co\erts were similar but with broader marg-ins. The median co\erts were dark and formed a definite band across the closed wing. The under-side of the wing showed dull white. The bill was massive and in cross-section roughly triangular, as the lower mandible was broader than the upper. It was steely-blue in colour, and the legs were brownish-pink. During its four days’ stay, the bird frequented the same small area of marshy pasture bordered by a clover field, a cabbage garden, a field of turnips and a stubble field. It resorted to the cabbages and turnips not infrequently for cover, and despite its brilliant plumage it was difficult to see once it entered the roots. Its colours blending perfectly with the reds and yellows of the withered leaves. It repaired to the oat-stooks in the stubble for feeding purposes. The flight was strong and undulating, and the bird appeared very elongated when on the wing. The wing-feathers then, in certain lights, could appear blue-grey and the contrast of this colour with the bright yellow under-parts strongly recalled the colour-scheme of the Grey Wagtail {Motacilla cinerea). In flight at a distance and in silhouette it was easy to confuse with the Sky-Larks {Alauda arvensis) on the wing at the same time. A low call, rendered tchup , was heard on a number of occasions usually when the bird flew up. ^^.asions, When on the alert, or immediately upon alighting the bird assumed an upright, elongated pose, later relaxing into a more nearly horizontal attitude. It was seen to perch on walls fences and sometimes “sideways” on corn-stooks. It generally sat motionless for long periods with the wing-points slightly drooped below the tail, exposing rhe bright yellow rump. The bird was rather wild, and, whilst it was possible to get within ten yards when in concealment, an approach to nearer than twentv vards m the open was difficult. ^ ^ Siberian Chiffchaff {Phylloscopus collvbita tristis). This determination, as usual, should be qualified with the words “highly probable”. The bird was with Goldcrests (Re^uhis regidiis) on an east-side cliff on October 23rd, and spent part of 120 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV the time seeking food like a Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) among the stones of the beach below. The mantle was grey- brown without any noticeable olive tinge, and the under-parts showed no yellow. The legs appeared to be black. The white superciliary stripe and eye-rim were noticeable when the bird flew to some vegetation just below the cliff-top, and a feature I saw well on this occasion, but did not note last autumn (antea, vol. xliii, pp. 48-49), was the clear contrast between the pale brown head and greyish-brown mantle in the strong sunlight. Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus). A bird of this species recorded on September 19th appeared very grey in the field, and was at first mistaken for a Northern Willow- Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus acredida) until the single wing- bar was seen. The upper-parts appeared to be a uniform olive-grey, with the tail and primaries darker. The under-parts were a uniform greyish-white, as were also the wing-bars and superciliary stripes. The bill seemed small for the size of the bird, and the pale colour of the lower mandible was clearly seen on one occasion. The bird was stockily built, and appeared slightly smaller than a Willow-Warbler. When discovered, it was feeding among the turnip-plants, rarely appearing among the upper leaves, and rarely remaining motionless. It flew only occasionally, usually to pass round the observers and settle in the crop behind them. These skulking habits led to its capture in a net. In comparison with the other two Phylloscopi with wing-bars observed here during the Autumn, the Eversmann’s (Ph. borealis) and Yellow-browed Warblers (Ph. inornatus), some distinctive points were noted. The most important field-character of the bird was its general greyness, contrasting with the greenish hue of the other two species. In size it was intermediate, in behaviour more active than borealis but less so than inornatus which it resembled, however, in its habit of remaining largely concealed among the roots. The single wing-bar was conspicuous when the wing was seen clearly and it was whitish in contrast with the yellowish bars of the other species. The eye-stripe, although very prominent, was less so than in Eversmann’s and the Yellow- browed Warblers. The bird was watched by Ian Munro, Dougal Andrew, M. J. Wotton, Pamela McMorran and M. Abraham, and the above notes were compiled by Ian Munro in consultation with the other observers. The bird was examined in the hand by K.W. The unabraded greater coverts and practically unworn remiges and rectrices indicate that it was a first-year bird. The outermost greater covert had a small light tip on the outer web, and the next four had broader white tips on the outer webs. Upper mandible dark brown, lower light pinkish-brown. Tarsi dark greyish-brown. VOL. XLiv.] FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY. 121 The yellow in the supercilium and yellowish wash on the uncler- parts were only faintly indicated and apparently not obvious in the held. Diagnosis a race is based on wing-formula (2nd primary between 7th and 8th) combined with single wing-bar. Wing- 57 mm., bill from skull 11.5 mm., tarsus 20 mm. This is the second occurrence of the species on Fair Isle For observ.it, ons on the bird of June end-jrd, 1949, see Scot. Nat. \oi. 02, pp 18-20. Ihere have now been four records of this species m Britain since 1945, a fact which may suggest that the westward extension of its range, noted by C. B. Ticehurst (A proce'edrng. p. 138) is still Eversmann^s Warbler {Phylloscopus borealis). Two birds wmn^^v" distinctly larger than the many Willow-Warblers which had been passing through for several ys, and m fact their size and the more greenish (less brownish) ^ Upper-parts was strong'ly reminiscent of the Wood-Warbler (PA. sihilatri.). The crov^nkvas ratler browt)er an the mantle and the tail was brownish-olive without any flmos't Jo Ihf"' -’tripe, extending almost to the nape, \vas as prominent as in the Yellow-browed Warbler and much more striking than in the Greenish Warblers cpped here. A dark stripe through the eye contrasted with this d the yellowish cheeks. The lores were a dark olive colour. A short ye lowish-white wing-bar at the tips of the g-reater coverts was the mam feature of the closed wing. There was a similarly coloured but much less obvious markin| on tL medLn Turw^; T wings in the c^ase of one bird but was present on the left wing only in the other— the righi trac?’oT?r appeared to have lost all trace of it It would be an exaggeration to call this marking- a feathe'rs“onlv apparently confined to one or two teathers only. The tips of the primaries, in the closed wino- showed as a dull brown without any indication of greenish ^r o ve, suggesting that the wing-feathers were old and irconse- quence well worn, and the birds probably adult. he under-parts were dull whitish, the sides of breast and anks having a marked greyish wash, and, when seen at close quarters, a faintly striated effect. The centre of breast and bellv was yellowish tinged, and the under tail-coverts were also suffused with yellow. The beak appeared long and spear hL for a Phylloscopus, and was brownish-orange, darkest at the tin nf rL upper roandible. The legs were pafer; browrtsLVesh Ld he inside of the mouth was orange. ’ ^ The birds haunted an enclosed cabbage-natch ^epLino- o 11 ?rThrS”b"V^ brassiccc), one of which was battered tops^fthe Xts "^ove ops ot the plants. A bird once flew nearly 30 ft. upwards 122 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. to take a tipulid, but sallies were normally confined to a low level. A caterpillar of the Larg-e White Butterfly [Pieris brassiccB) was taken on one occasion, but the bird apparently found it distasteful, as it discarded it. When moving" from place to place on the tops of the cabbag"e plants the birds kept up a constant flicking; of the closed wing's in typical phylloscopine fashion, but when resting' between energetic bouts of food-seeking the wings were held still. In form they appeared to be slenderer birds than Willow-Warblers, and they had a habit — which I have not seen in other leaf- warblers — of stretching out their necks and at the same time twisting their heads to one side, as though alertly following some movement among the plants. In this way they adopted some quite unusual postures — ’the type of extravagant posturing, in fact, that one only expects to find in an Audubon painting! Another feature was the unkempt appearance of the head — the feathers of the crown were often lifted, giving the impression of a tiny crest, and the chin-feathers were ruffled, giving a bearded effect. These may seem to be small points, but I think they are important: the field indentification of Phylloscopus sp. must always rest on small differences, and so marked were these behaviour traits during our two hours’ observation that they are probably characteristic of the species. Once or twice the birds called to each other, a hard “zik”, and on being disturbed by a cat one bird scolded with a more emphatic version of the same note, a repeated “tchik’’. They were watched by Ian Munro, David Nicoll and Drs. J. A. R. Miles and J. C. D. White and myself. Yellow-browed Warbler {PhyUoscopiis inornatiis). The Handbook (ii, 21) and Ticehurst {op. cit. p. 103) agree in recording the call-note as a monosyllabic “weest” or “weesp”. On several occasions during the Autumn of 1950, I again heard a disyllabic note from birds of this species, — an effort, it seemed, to run two calls together in quick succession, “wees-weest’’. One bird, trapped and ringed in the Gully, a steep narrow ravine debouching on the east coast, remained there during the week September 26th-October 2nd. Aquatic Warbler {Acrocephahts pnludicola). One, found independently by E. J. Cottier and myself, was haunting long grass beside a rainwater pool on the evening of August 20th. It was not in the least reminiscent of a Sedge-Warbler {Acrocephahts schoenobcsnus), as one might be led to expect from The Handbook (ii, 59), but struck me as a very pale, even sandy, bird in flight, espeeially on the under-parts. It gave a brief but perfect view of the distinctive head-markings of buff coronal and superciliary stripes, separated by blackish streaks, when it alighted beside the pool. This is apparently the fourth Scottish record of the species and the third for Fair Isle, the previous two being October birds. (123) THE INDEX OF HERON POPULATION, 1950.* BY W. B. Alexander. (Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoolog-ical Field Studies, Oxford). The number of heronries on which reports for 1950 were received at the Edward Grey Institute was 207, or 45 more than in the previous year. Of these 150 were in England, 17 each in Wales and Scotland, and 23 in Ireland. We are indebted to 89 informants of whom several have collected information from friends and correspondents. The Rev. P. G. Kennedy has again supplied figures for 16 heronries in 7 counties of Eire, A. G. Parsons for 7 in Cornwall, and G. W. lemperley for 6 in Northumberland and Durham. The number of counties or larger areas from which particulars of all known heronries were received now covers a considerable part of England and Wales. It includes Cheshire and S. Lancashire (from A. W. Boyd), Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire (from C. A. Norris), Herefordshire (from S. M. D. Alexander), Monmouthshire, Glamorgan and Brecon (from R. F. C. Zamboni and J. D. R. Vernon), Carmarthenshire (from D. K. Bryson), Bedfordshire (from K. Piercy), Hunting- donshire (from C. F. Tebbutt), Cambridgeshire, West Norfolk and West Suffolk (from A. E. Vine), Dorset (from E. M. Cawkell), Sussex (from G. des Forges), and the Isle of Man (from W. S. Cowin). The writer has obtained reports on all known heronries in the Thames Valley and in Essex with the help of members of the Oxford Ornithological Society, Slough Natural History Society, London Natural History Society and Essex Bird Watching and Preservation Society. We have again received information about a number of heronries not previously recorded. Miss M. E. Burgess reports one in Co. Down with 25 nests which has existed for over 20 years and Sir C. Langham, Bart., one in Co. Fermanagh with three nests which was large formerly, but decreased through tree-felling during the war. G. A. Pyman has reported three in Essex: one with seven nests has existed for several years and had 12 nests in 1946, one with one nest is fairly new and had two nests in 1949, and one with two nests was established with two nests in 1949. A. C. Eraser reports one in Berkshire with two nests also estab- lished with two nests in 1949. Three others whose history is unknown include one in Sussex with four or five nests (E. M. Cawkell) and two in Devon with 15 and 22 nests (P. Stuart Hill). It is regretted that in last year’s report, owing to an oversight, a heronry of seven nests in Dumfriesshire reported by A. B. Duncan was listed as new. It has in fact been In existence for over 20 years. *A publication of the British Trust for Ornithology. 124 BRITISH BIRDS [VOL. XLIV. As explained in previous reports of this series it is considered that the most reliable method of obtaining' an index fig"ure for the year is to compare the number of nests in those heronries counted in with the averag^e number in the same heronries in years when the heron population was normal (1928, 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939). We have such averages for the normal years for 141 of the heronries counted in 1950 and these total 2,960 nests. In 1950, the same heronries contained 2,696 nests or 91 per cent. As the percentage in 1949 on this basis was 77 this gives an increase in the breeding population of 18 per cent. Another method of estimating the change is by comparison of the numbers in 156 heronries which were counted both in 1949 and 1950. The following table gives separately the figures for each district: — South-west England South-east England Thames Drainage Area No. of heronries. 14 13 23 No. of nests Percentage J949 ^950 change. 203 240 -fi8 388 396 -1- 2 382 444 -|- 16 VOL. XLiv.] INDEX OF HERON POPULATION. 125 Eastern England ... Midlands Wales and Borders North-west England North-east England Scotland Ireland England and Wales British Isles No. of No. of nests Percentage heronries. 1949 1950 change. 20 164 218 + 33 19 351 387 4- 10 15 207 193 - 7 13 250 301 4-20 8 88 no +25 12 140 145 + 4 19 165 221 + 34 125 2,033 2,289 + 13 156 2,338 2,655 + 14 - .... an lu au areas except Wales and the Borders where the sample shows a small decrease. For the third year in succession the winter was a mild one. Mr. J. H. Willis kindly informs us that the coldest month was January, iqco, with a mean temperature at Norwich of 38.9 degrees F. Fne accompanying diagram, of which the earlier portion was published in the report for 1944, shows graphically the effect of the cold winter 1946-47 and the recovery which has since taken place bringing the population nearly back to normal. The comparison of the populations of areas in which all known heronries were counted in 1950, with those found in previous surveys of the same areas is shown in the table below. It must be borne in mind that it is never possible to be sure that all heronries m an area have been found ; that in most areas subsequent information has made it certain, or nearly certain, that some heronries were not found in 1928; and that it is highly probable that not all existing heronries were known in 1950. The three areas in which it is most likely that all heronries have been found are those in which counts have been made annually, or almost annually, for many years past, viz. the Thames Drainage Area; Cheshire and South Lancashire; and' bussex. It will be seen that in each of these the 1950 total is higher than that of 1949, also that in the two former the figure is considerably higher than that found in 1928 though in Sussex it IS markedly lower. Area. Chesh ire & S. Lancs. Derby, .Staffs., Warwick & Worcs. Herel'ord, Monmouth, Glamorgan, Brecon and Carmarthen Beds, Hunts, Cambs., W. Norfolk & W. Suffolk ... Essex Thames Drainage Area (e.xcluding Essex) Dorset Sussex Lsle of Man Total for sample areas in England and Wales. •isolated nest included in total, but not JVo. of nests {and of ^9,‘yO ig^g 22g*{8) 185(6) 282(11) -_ I25*(l2) — 296*(i6) — 151(13) 360(18) 3I4**(i8) 96(3) - 215(8) 197(9) I2*(2) I4*(2) 1,766(91) + 4 nests counted as a heronry. heronries). ig2S 170(6) i74***(io) i6i**(i7) 191(10) 223(7) 236**(i2) 152(4) 294**(6) o 1,601(72) + 9 nests 126 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. In conclusion we must again thank all those whose co-opera- tion has made this report possible and ask all readers who can obtain figures of occupied nests in heronries in 1951 (preferably between April 15 and May 10), to send the information as soon afterwards as possible to the writer at The Edward Grey Institute, gi, Banbury Road, Oxford. THE USE OF EXTRUDED PLASTIC FOR COLOUR MARKING. BY R. H. POULDING. For an investigation of the dispersal of juvenile gulls an economical method of mass colour marking was needed. The standard celluloid ring proved expensive, limited in size and difficult to attach. Enquiries were made from manufacturers as to the possibility of adapting plastic tubing for this purpose. Preliminary experiments with various sizes and colours of polyvinyl chloride extruded plastic, led to a technique suitable for juvenile Herring-Gulls {Larus argentatus) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls [Larus fuscus). Plastic tubing, internal diameter 12.5 mm., wall 0.5 mm., was cut into 20 mm. lengths. Two colours were used; yellow for Herring-Gulls and red for Lesser Black-backed Gulls. These rings were attached by two methods. First by splitting the ring longitudinally with scissors and re-sealing around the tarsus with quick drying ‘Tenabond’ cement; and second by slipping the uncut ring over the web and foot joint. The former method proved tedious as each bird had to be retained for one minute to allow the cement to dry. The other proved eft'ective for all but the largest juveniles. Slight elasticity of the plastic allowed the ring to expand sufficiently for it to be pulled over the closed foot. At the end of June, 1949, 233 juvenile Herring-Gulls and 74 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were thus colour marked on Steep Holm in the Bristol Channel. In April, 1949, an adult of each species was ringed using the re-seal method. Advertisements in the local press and British Birds resulted in 43 visual records of marked birds and ten found dead. Records were undoubtedly duplicated in the Bristol Docks where four or five of the birds wintered. Results so far are not sufficient for detailed analysis, but records from widely separate points in the Bristol Channel suggest general dispersal. One of the adult gulls bearing a re-seal ring was seen in the River Avon three months ^ter VOL. XLIV.] USE OF EXTRUDED PLASTIC. 127 ringing". The last visual record at the time of going to press is of a Herring-Gull with a yellow ring at Bristol on February loth, 1951 — ^nineteen months after marking. Polyvinyl choride extruded plastic does not age with sunlight, is weatherproof and has a high tensile strength. These qualities were confirmed in preliminary experiments. The only defect noticed so far is a slight fading of the red plastic after four months in the field. No colour change occurred in the yellow. The slip- over technique proved easier to use and is possibly more permanent than the re-seal method. It is most important for the successful use of rings of this type that the size of the ring be carefully chosen, preferably after preliminary measurement of the greatest diameter of the tarsus and of the joint betweenjthe tarsus and the toes. These measurements will indicate the limits between which the internal diameter of the tubing must be if the ring is not to slip oft' or be so tight as to risk injury to the leg. The cost of the tubing is remarkably low, being less than one shilling for 100 rings of the size used. The writer is grateful to Messrs. Tenaplas Ltd., Upper Basildon, near Pangbourne, Berks, for supplying the plastic, ‘Tenabond’ and technical advice, also to Mr. Hugh Boyd for many helpful suggestions. Reference. POULDING, R. H., Bird Observations on Steep Holm, 1949. Proceedings of the Bristol Naturalists’ Society vol. xxviii Part I, 1949. THE AERIAL DAWN CHORUS OF THE SWALLOW. BY A. VAN Beneden (Li^ge) and J. S. Huxley (London). (i) 0\ er a number of years one of us (A. V. B.), has ringed migrants at Jupille, near Liege, between Aug. 20th and Sep. 15th, always arriving at the trap before dawn. When the weather is fine, with a cloudless sky and little or no wind, a song-chorus of Swallows {Hirundo rustica) may frequently be heard. These song-choruses begin before dawn, are given high up in the air, and may last up to an hour. After dawn, one can see the birds as well as hear them. They are relatively scattered, singing as they fly, with a slow floating flight, quite different from that employed when seeking insect prey. Their continuous warbling produces an impressive volume of sound in the quiet of the early morning. As the light increases, the Swallows gradually descend; their song becomes less vigorous, tbeir flight more so, and on reaching their usual flight level, they speedily disperse. 128 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV, 1. he faintness of the sound of the song^ when first heard permits the conclusion that the birds started in their upward flig'ht con- siderably before the dawn, possibly in time to greet the sun when several hundred (or e\'cn a thousand?) feet up. In any case, even after dawn, the birds are frequently so- high that they are hard to see from ground level. (2) The second author (J. S. H.), in his Bird Watching and Bird Behaviour (London, 1930), recorded a similar incident. This was at Radcot Bridge, on the upper Thames, in late May, on a clear and windless morning, and was the only occasion on which it was observed by him. Other species, including Swifts (Apus apiis) and House-Martins [Dehchon urbica) in equal or greater numbers than the Swallows were present in the aerial gathering though it was impossible to detect whether they contributed to the chorus : certainly, no Swifts were screaming. When first seen, the birds were already in sunlight, and in their descent, they appeared to keep close to the lowest level from which the sun was visible. The assemblage was quite a definite one, clearly involv- ing a concentration of birds from quite a sizeable area. No observations were possible to see where the nearest other gather- ings were being held. (3) The H andbook of British Birds makes no reference to this record, or to the habit in general (though there is a reference to S. Morris’s observation that song occurs “frequently long before daybreak ) ; and we have not come across any references in the literature, although A. V. B’s experience over many years makes it clear that it occurs normally and regularly in favourable condi- tions, and W. Eric Hosking informs us that he has observed it on several occasions. It would clearly be of considerable interest to investigate the matter further. Ihe following points in particular seem to need elucidation. Does the Swallows’ aerial chorus take place in winter quarters as well as summer quarters? Does it occur over the whole summer (breeding) range of the species? From how large an area does each aerial chorus draw its birds? Does the chorus occur throughout the whole of the period in summer quarters, or it is inhibited during certain parts of the annual cycle (e.g. pairing-up and pre-migration or selection of nest-site; feeding of young; pre-migration assembly); what are the precise meteorological conditions which favour or inhibit it? What other species participate in it, and in what circumstances? Do any other species (e.g. House-Martin, Sand-Martin (^Ri paria riparia^, or any other species of Hirundinidae in other countries) ever indulge in similar pre-auroral song-gatherings in the absence of Swallows? We hope to collect information on these matters: would anyone who has any observations on the subject kindly send them to J. S. Huxley, 31 Pond Street, London, N.W.3. F^roe Snipe [Capella gallinago " fceyoeensis ”). Nesting in birch scrub, Thingvellir, S.W. Iceland, June, 194Q, [Photographed by G. K. Yeates), (See page 137), British Birds, Vol. xJiv, PI. 14. Rose.vte Tern (Sienia dougallii). 1'ekching in tree mallow at an Irish colony, 1050. {Photogmphed by A. G. Mason). (See page J31 M K.R.C. 1947 Sep. 30 Burford, Oxon Some Swallows No (near tele- graph wires) R.S.R.F. i94» Sep. 12 Wisborough Green, Sussex C, 12 Martins p Yew G.N.S. 1949 Sep. 3 1950 Upper Largo, Fife I or 2 Swallows Some Martins Yes Ash E.V.B. July II Etampes, near Paris c. 30 Swallows Yes Apple .M.R.K.P. July 13 Burford, Oxon 3 juvenile Swallows being fed by adult R.S.R.F. July 28 Lowestoft, Suffolk 2 House-Martins ? Apple J.G.W. Aug. 14 Oxted, Surrey 3 Swallows ? Oak K.R.C. Aug. 14 Potter Heigham, Norfolk Many Sand-Martins No Willow R.A.F.G. N.G.B.J. Sep. 3, 4 & 5 Beccles, E. Suffolk Some Swallows c. 250 Martins No Ash and Willow (near telegraph wires) J.G.W. Observers names: — Miss E. V. Baxter, Messrs. K. R. Chandler, R. S. R. Fitter, R. A. F. Gillmor, N. G. N. Slyfield, J. G. Warner. G. B. Jones, M. R. K. Plaxton, FEEDING BEHAVIOUR OF GREEN WOODPECKER. On July 2ist, 1950, near Tavistock, Devon, I saw two Green Woodpeckers {Picus viridis), — an adult female and a juvenile, — fly to a concrete fence-post where the female twice fed the juvenile, — or at any rate thrust her bill deep into the other bird’s 134 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. open bill. After this, while the juvenile kept still, the adult, at the top of the post, moved her head quickly from side to side, at the same time flicking her tongue rapidly out and in several times, — presumably catching flying insects. I watched this incident through a telescope. I do not remember seeing or hear- ing of this method of feeding. G. W. H. Moule. COURTSHIP FEEDING OF GREEN WOODPECKER IN AUGUST. On August 14th, 1950, I watched a pair of Green W^oodpeckers {Piciis viridis) probing for ants on my lawn at Wraysbury, Middlesex. The birds were under observation from 17.35 to 17.50, when they were unfortunately disturbed. All this while the pair kept close together. Every few minutes the female, picking a time when the male was withdrawing his beak from an ant-hole, crouched just in front of him with head elevated and opened her beak wide like a supplicating nestling. The male immediately' put his beak right down her throat. This happened four times. There did not appear to be any regurgitation on the part of the male — and I had him under close observation through a telescope. The impression conveyed therefore was that the male was directly feeding the female with the ants that he had just drawn from the hole. No spottings or other markings could be seen to indicate that the female was a young bird. Her plumage was definitely adult and, as she showed by her behaviour in between, she was quite capable of collecting ants for herself. I heard no “hunger cry” or any other sound from her when she crouched. Three weeks earlier I had noticed a male, probably the same one, perched at the very top of a thirty-foot willow from 7.10 to 7.25 on a sunny morning, uttering a regular succession of loud and fairly long notes, all starting at the same pitch and dropping slightly as they ended. The whole manner of the bird and the blithe delivery of the song (though not its monotony!) reminded me irresistibly of a Mistle-Thrush (Turdiis viscivorus) in full song. C. Hann. [We have published [anteci, vol. xxxii, p. g6) a record of courtship feeding in April. A previous case (antea, vol. xl, p. 87) of behaviour similar to that reported by Mr. Hann concerned two juveniles. — Eds.1 GREENLAND FALCON IN ANGLESEY. On January nth, 1949, at Rhoscolyn, Anglesey', a' large falcon was seen swooping on and killing a gull. The falcon followed its prey to the ground, but was prevented from completing its meal by a cottager who then placed two steel gins close to the carcase. When it returned to the spot the falcon stepped into one of the traps. It rose in the air with the trap dangling from one foot, the powerful bird having pulled the anchoring pin clean out VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 135 of the ground in its efforts to g"et away. The weigj'ht of the trap proved too much for the bird and it was captured uninjured, but it was eventually killed and sent to me for identification. It was a young- female, measuring- 23 inches in leng-th, with a wing-span of 51 inches, and weighed three and a half pounds. It was examined by Mr. C. F. Tunnicliffe as well as by myself and we agreed that it was a gyr-falcon, but owing to the difficulty of differentiating between young birds of the Greenland and Iceland forms we forwarded it to Mr. R. Wagstaffe at the Yorkshire Museum, after Mr. Tunnicliffe had made a series of full-scale drawings of the bird. Mr. Wagstaffe informed us that it was definitely a Greenland Falcon {Falco rusticohis candicans). He had been able to compare our bird with the many skins in his charge at York and with skins at the British Museum, so that the identifica- tion was established beyond doubt. I may add that Mr. Tunnicliffe watched and sketched a gyr- falcon the previous winter in Anglesey. T. G. Walker. AERIAL COURTSHIP DISPLAY FLIGHT OF SOME SURFACE-FEEDING DUCKS IN WINTER QUARTERS. The Handbook (vol. iii, p. 268), quoting observations of A. \Vnetmore on the American W^igeon (^Anas americana), describes a swift, erratic courtship flight on the breeding ground initiated by two males approaching a female, hovering and whistling and following her as she rose into the air. The males dart ahead of the female setting and decurving their wings and throwing their heads up, exhibiting their striking markings to the best advantage. In vol. v, p. 297 a very similar incident in the case -of Wigeon {Anas penelope) is quoted on the authority of D. Nethersole-Thompson. -As far as I am aware a similar type of aerial courtship-display has not been recorded for any surface-feeding ducks in their winter quarters. During the early part of 195°! ^ witnessed a similar type of aerial display in the North Kent estuaries by several species and on various occasions as follows: — • Pintail {Anas acuta): January 22nd (once), February 5th (once), March 12th (once). Wigeon {Anas pe7ielope) February 5th (twice), March 5th (once), March 19th (once), April 2nd foncef April 8th (once). In all cases small parties of duck were involved, consisting of two to seven males and one female. On two occasions I was able to observe that these flights were preceded by display on the water, but in the other instances only the aerial part of the display was seen when (a) small parties appeared to be changing feeding grounds, or (b) a mass movement of duck in small and large parties was caused by the tide covering their last feeding p-round's 136 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. 1 he aerial display that I witnessed was the same as described by Whetmore except that the flight was neither swift nor erratic. in several instances some of the drake Wigeon were in first winter dress. ^950, I witnessed an instance of aerial courtship-flight of the Shoveler {Spatula clypeata). This display diftered from that of the Pintail and Wigeon referred to above, but was m fact similar to that described in The Handbook under 1 intail (vol. in, p. 271), on the authority of F. Harper. ..... E. H. Gillham. MAY NUMBERS OF FULMARS ON SHETLAND CLIFFS. N Shetland a high proportion of Fulmars {Fulmanis glacialis) leave the breeding cliffs in early May (where they have been sitting, except during strong gales, since the first week of the previous November) and their return, a week or so later, coincides with the beginning of the egg-laying season. I made regular counts over a period of three complete years on the west side of Shetland and the May figures reproduced here show the magnitude and regularity of this May exit. Number of Number of Birds on “Nest-sites'\ 1948, April 21 May I 7 15 23 June I 1949, April 25 May r 1 1 16 June 4 1950, April 26 May I 7 12 17 24 523 330 109 155 426 356 39' 394 87 178 364 368 569 250 153 36 278 391 354 259 94 145 400 319 277 325 76 169 341 331 410 220 123 35 247 356 — T ••• ••• 35^ Mr. G. W. Russell has observed a similar phenomenon on the east side of Shetland near Lerwick (the Battery Banks). Fulmars also tend to leave the cliffs during onshore gales, but this May exodus occurs whatever the weather. All the above counts were taken during, and after at least 48 hours of, favourable weather. I he hitful Head cliffs have long been colonized as a breedino- site but I find that a section of cliff (Cubal Banks. Scousburg-hf frequented almost entirely by non-breeding birds, is also vacated at this time, 1 e. it is not merely a last minute fling before the cares of parenthood though it is rather suggestive that this mig-ht be so with the breeding stock. (First egg dates: May 17th, 1946, VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 137 May i8th, 1950 and a shot female had a complete eg'g' with hard shell in the oviduct on May 15th, 1948). The birds go right out of sight of land but fishing boats have reported large numbers of Fulmars out to sea at this time from distances of one to ten miles offshore. It would be interesting to know from observers elsewhere whether this May exit is regular. More complete data will be included in Mr. James Fisher’s forthcoming monograph on the Fulmar. L. S. V. Venables. NESTING OF THE “F.EROE” SNIPE. (See Plate 13). Mr. Kenneth Williamson’s note on the breeding of the “Fseroe” Snipe [Capella gallinago ‘'faeroeensis”) [antea, vol. xlii, pp. 394"395) prompts me to add the following information on the nesting habitat of this race in Iceland. In that country, while in districts devoid of birch-scrub it nests abundantly in long tussocky grass, as described by Mr. Williamson, in localities rich in birch, It not only nests in the scrub, but even seems to prefer it. Thus m June, 1949, at Thingvellir, where there is an extensive birch forest , Dr. K. J.- V. Carlson and I found several nests amongst the birch itself. One of these was quite open and exposed, being a mere hollow in the Rhacomitrium moss at the foot of a birch. The site would have suited a W^oodcock (^Scolopax rusticola) admirably. We observed with admiration the manner and ease with which these scrub snipe used their stiff-winged “shuttlecock” flight through the trees. Although we spent much time also on more typical snipe ground, the scrub seemed to attract the majority of the birds. Icelandic birch, of course, is not very high — four to five feet. It may perhaps also be remarked that Black-tailed Godwits {^Limosd limosa'j were showing every sign of nesting in this same habitat, although we never actually found a nest in such a site to prove the point. G. K. Yeates. [Since the publication of Mr. Williamson’s note the B.O.U. List Committee has agreed that “the ‘Faeroe Snipe’ is an inter- esting variant or colour phase, more dominant in Iceland the Faeroes and the Orkneys, but is not recognizable as a geogra- phical race”. A full report of this decision will be found in Ibis, (yol. 92,^ pp. 639-640). We have therefore placed the name “Faeroe” in inverted commas. The geographical differences of habit and habitat described by Messrs. Yeates and Williamson are of interest — ^Eds.] AMERICAN PECTORAL SANDPIPER IN HERTFORDSHIRE On September 14th, 1949, at the Marsworth reservoir, Tring, I observed an American Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanoios). It was feeding along the edge of the water within twenty yards 138 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. of me for over half an hour and later allowed an approach to three yards before taking flight. It returned to the same spot with three Curlew-Sandpipers (C. testacea). In size it was only slightly larger than these birds, slim and very Ruff-like in stance, as the neck was often stretched up and slightly forwards. The bill was shorter and thicker than those of the Curlew-Sandpipers, with a slight de-curve at the tip. It appeared almost black with a paler base. The legs were yellow- brown. The head had a longitudinal streaked appearance, the crown dark and a paler band passing through the eye. Back boldly patterned like a Ruff i^Philoniachiis pugnax), with some chestnut feathers towards the mid-line ; chin pale, throat and breast buff, vertically streaked, with abrupt termination forming the distinctive pectoral band, the lower breast and under-parts being white. In flight the pattern was again Ruff-like, the sides of the tail pale, with a dark centre. There was no definite wing-bar. 1 he note was “thrupp” uttered once, twice, or three times on different occasions in flight. When alarmed it several times crouched down low on the water whilst wadjng ; an alternative action was the stretching up of the neck. E. L. Arnold. [We regret that circumstances beyond our control have delayed publication of this record, which is the second for 1949 that has come to our notice. Larger numbers were reported in 1948 and again in 1950. The other record for 1949 {antea, vol. xlii, p. 395) was for a bird seen at Abberton Reservoir, Essex, on September i8th. — Eds. ] ROSEATE TERN PERCHING ON TREE MALLOW AND NESTING UNDER COVER. The accompanying photographs (Plates 14 and 15) of Roseate Terns {Sterna doiigallii) perching on Tree Mallow {Lavatera arhorea) would seem to be the first record of these terns perching on shrubs. This habit was seen at the same place by parties of the Irish Ornithologists’ Club, in both 1949 and 1950. The Handbook mentions that Arctic Terns {Sterna macrura) perch on trees in N. Europe and McGiffert has described and photographed the Common Tern {Sterna hirundo) perching on Cow Parsnip {antea vol. xlii p. 27). Coulson has recorded an Arctic Tern perching, without effort, on a telephone wire {loc. cit. p. 28). At the colony where the photographs were taken the Roseate Terns nested under the Tree Mallow. The open bare ground around the patch of Mallow was occupied by Common Terns. This preference for nesting under tall vegetation is quite noticeable in another colony in Ireland where they tend to nest under Marram Grass. This partiality to nesting under cover was recorded by Humphreys {antea vol. xvii pp. 5-1 1), but it is not mentioned in The Handbook. A. G. Mason. VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 139 [In Anglesey in June, 1920, I found Roseate Terns nesting among vegetation so deep that the sitting' bird disappeared completely from view when it settled on its eggs ; other Roseate Terns, however, had their nests on the bare rock. — A.W.B.] COMMON TERNS PERCHING ON WIRES. (See Plate 16). In view of the scarcity of records of terns using elevated perches in Britain, the following observations on Common Terns [Sterna hirundo) would appear to be of interest. On July 8th, 1950, I saw two Common Terns perching on power cables at a height of about 50 feet over reclaimed land on the Durham side of the Tees estuary. While I watched them they left the wires several times to mob Herring-Gulls (Larus argentatus) and a Kestrel [Falco tinnuncidus) and chase these till clear of the immediate area, when both terns would return to almost the same spot on the wires. Other Common Terns were in the vicinity, but showed no inclination to join these two. On July loth, 1950, I again saw two Common Terns perching on the same length of cable, but on this date, both birds were never seen on the wire simultaneously. Two photographs were taken. On July 2ist, 1950, one Common Tern was seen to perch on the wires several times. A photograph was taken through a X 25 telescope. The last occasion on which I saw these wires being used as a perch was on July 26th, 1950, when one bird was present; after this date the terns took no further interest in this area, and presumably joined the large flocks then forming in the estuary. Terns were again seen perching on August 2nd, 1950, on power cables at a lower level (about 25 feet high), approximately one mile distant from the position of the above occurrences. On the evening of this date, about 100 Common Terns were fishing or resting in the area, and several birds perched upon the wires. The number of birds on the wires changed continuously, the maximum observed being 25. This behaviour was terminated, after a few minutes, by the dispersal of the whole flock to feeding grounds in the estuary. D. R. Seaw.a.rd. LATE GLAUCOUS GULL IN KENT. As is well known, the majority of records for the Glaucous Gull [Larus hyperboreus) in Kent, relate to the winter months, and occurrences in the south, even in March, are rare. We think that it is therefore worthy of note, that a sub-adult was seen by us in the Sandwich area on May nth, 1949. During the whole of that week, the wind was persistently in the north-east and for several days there was a steady northward movement of Great Black-backed Gulls [L. marinus). The Glaucous Gull was with two immatures of this species, and the details of its plumage were 140 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. clearly seen. The bird was In the creamy buff stag"e of plumag’e of the sub-adult. James M. Harrison and Jeffery G. Harrison. [We have already published [antea, vol. xliii, pp, 409 and 412) records of Glaucous Gulls in Eng^land in May, or even later, in 1950. We regret that a record for the previous year should be published subseqently, but feel that a further record of the bird’s presence in the south in May is of interest.— Eds.] ICELAND GULL IN SKYE. A.N immature Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) frequented Portree, Isle of Skye, in December, 1948. It was very tame and its slender bill compared with those of accompanying Herring-Gulls (L. argentatus) was noticeable. Seton Gordon. UNUSUAL LEG COLOUR OF MOORHEN. The note on this subject [antea, vol. xliii, p. 383) has prompted Major A. W. Boyd to remind me of an adult albino Moorhen {Galhnula chloropus) with bright yellow legs, beak and irides, which I observed at Marple, Cheshire, in 1948. This bird, which was pure white in all its plumage, had nested during the spring, being mated with a normal adult male. The absence of the normal red or crimson irides and beak-shield, and the bright yellow legs (instead of green) suggests that these characters may be associated with tendencies to albinism. Stuart Smith. FEAR NOTE OF RED GROUSE. On October 9th, i949» while on the Meikle Pap of Lochnagar, Aberdeenshire, I was startled to hear a loud shrill calling, rapidly and continually repeated, coming from the mists veiling Cuidhe Crom, the hill opposite. In about three seconds a pack of Red Grouse {Lagopus scoticus) hurtled into sight, and so far as I could discern only one bird was uttering the call. From a distance of 100 yards it sounded like ** peek-peek-peek-peek”, a short, high pitched note I had never heard grouse utter previously, and which resembled no other bird-call I know. The cause of the birds’ terror soon became evident. In little more than thirty seconds, by which time the grouse had disappeared beyond the northern slope of the hill, a young Golden Eagle (Aqiula chryscctns) sailed out from the mists and started soaring on the upper slopes of Meikle Pap. In fifteen years experience of Red Grouse and eagles I have never heard the grouse utter a similar call, which, I may add, was continually repeated during the twenty seconds that the grouse were visible, during which period they covered 300-400 yards. Alex. Tewnion. Woodchat Shrike in Cornwall — ^The Woodchat Shrike reported {antea, p. 63) in Cornwall was seen on June sth iqro not May 5th as stated. ’ ’ VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 141 Winter song of Chiffchaff— The note {antea, p. 94) on winter song" of Chiffchaff {Phylloscopus collybita) should have included a reference to some records to which Mr. J. Walpole-Bond has drawn our attention. In his A History of Sussex Birds (vol. i, p. 350) song is recorded on January 12th, 1882, at Bosham ; January 29th, 1905, at Chichester; and in the last week of January, 1915, at Wadhurst. Occurrence of Bitterns during the winter 1950-51 — ^We do not normally publish records of Bitterns {Botaurus stellaris) seen m winter outside their breeding range, but records received recently suggest that Bitterns were unusually numerous during the winter of i95°‘5i- We would be glad to receive further records with a view to compiling a comprehensive note. Diving of Shovelers— The note {antea, vol. xliii, p. 19) on this subject has brought in further records of Shovelers (Spatula clypeata) diving; Mr. John A. McGeoch saw a drake diving at Gosforth Park Lake, Northumberland, on October i6th, 1949- Mr. Robert Walker saw five females diving at Siddick Pond* near Workington, Cumberland, on August i8th, 1949. The dives were not of long duration, but Mr. Walker states that the ones he watched were neatly executed. We are grateful to Mr. G. C. S. Ingram for pointing out that this habit has been described already in our pages (antea, vol. x, pp. 22-23; xiii, p. 1 10; xxviii, pp. 206, 241). The last of these records is also for Gosforth Park Lake, Northumberland. Large numbers of Black-tailed Godwits in Hants With reference 'to the note (antea, vol. xliii, p. 128) on large numbers of Black-tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa) at Poole Harbour, Dorset m March and April, 1949, Dr. C. Suffern writes that about 200 were present at Litchfield Haven, Hants, at the end of December, 194 , ?ind about 300 on January i6th, 1949. Numbers were lower Mter that date, and in March and April, when the flock at Poole Harbour was largest, there were very few godwits at Litchfield. Large numbers of Redshanks on passage inland — ^Mr and n ^P''“ 5'>'- '949, at Haydon Drove on the Mendips, Somerset, they had close views of a party of between 100 and 200 Redshanks (Tringa totanus), which were evidently moving in a northerly direction. Such large numbers ot this species on passage on dry ground in an inland and upland locality must be exceptional. Bill-colour OF Roseate Tern— With reference to the notes (antea xo\. xtii p. 159; xliii, p. 162) on the bill-colour of the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii), Mr. G. E. Took informs us that he visited a breeding colony in N. Ireland on June nth, 1040. Amongst approximately 100 pairs nesting on a small island he saw none but black-billed birds. (142) REVIEWS. Notes on the Birds of Warwickshire bv C. A. Norris. (Cornish Brothers Ltd., Birmingham, 19^7). 8s. 6d. The only previous account of the birds of this county was that published by R. F. Tomes in the V ictoria History of Warwickshire in 1904. The present httle woik thus fills a gap in the series of county ornithologies and the bibliography shows that the author has made a very thorough search of all the relevant literature and has also been able to use unpublished material fiom man} sources. He has found satisfactory records of the occurrence in the county of 238 species and subspecies of which 12 1 occur regularly (94 of them breeding), 36 are classed as scarce or irregular visitors and 81 as very rare vagrants. The systematic list gives details of the status of each of these. Mr Norris states m a foreword that these notes are intended to pave the way for a lull and more detailed history of the birds of Warwickshire, which e hopes to compile, and that niuch has still to be learnt about the distribution ol the more local species. With this excellent summary of what is already known ornithologists in the county now possess an admirable foundation for future work. g ^ A List of the Birds of the Counties of Galway and Mayo by R. F. Ruttledge. (Proc. Royal Irish Acadony, vol. 52, Section B, No. 8 Dublin; Hodges, Figgs & Co., 1950). 5s. Few counties or regions of Ireland have had books or papers devoted to their birds so that this account of the ornithology of the two largest counties of Connaught is a welcome addition to the literature of the subject. The author has long been resident in Co. Mayo and has travelled in both counties at all seasons so that his accounts of the status of the species are largely based on first-hand knowledge, though he acknowledges help from a few other resident ornithologists and a number of visitors, and has quoted records from the literature. Co. Mayo contains the only known breeding station in Ireland of the Red-necked Phalaropc, which began breeding in 1900. From 1905 to about 1920 approximately 50 pairs nested, but alter that a rapid decrease occurred and in 1945 only 4 birds were present. These counties also formerly contained the only breeding stations of the Yellow Wagtail in the west of Ireland, but this species has not been met with since 1928. Whilst these and a few other -species, have decrea.sed or disappeared, a number of others have appeared or increased a.s breeding species, these changes being summarized by the author in a brief introduction. ' \\t ^ Bird Wo}idcrs of Australia by Alec II . Chisholm (Angus and Robertson, Sydney and London, Third Edition, 1948). 15s. This book, originally published in 1934, has been thoroughly revised and brought up to date. It consists of a series of essays, some dealing with specially interesting or peculiar Australian birds such as the Bower-birds, Lyre-birds and Megapodes, and some dealing with interesting ornithological topics such as “anting”, song mimicry, curious nests, and migration, with special reference to .Xustralian examples. It is primarily addressed to .Australian readers though it can certainly be recommended to British ornithologists who want to learn something of the peculiarities of the Australian avifauna. Nevertheless, in some respects, the British reader may feel disappointed. For instance the chapter on cuckoos is mainly occupied by descriptions of the ejection of their nest-mates by Australian cuckoo nestlings, behaviour exacti}' like that of the European cuckoo. British readers familiar with this behaviour in their single species would be more interested to know whether in a country with thirteen species of parasitic cuckoos each species parasitises particular hosts and if so whether the eggs in each ca.se resemble those of the host (we are told they do in one case). However, it is perhaps ungracious to ask for more when we are given so much of interest, and we must not fail to add that the book contains a fine series of photo- graphs of birds and their nests, by the author and others, which really do illustrate many of the topics dealt with in the text. W. B. .A. VOL. XLIV.] REVIEWS. 143 News front Nature: A Selection of Seasonal Gossip by Alec H. Chisholm (Georgian House, Melbourne, 1948). los. 6d. In this small book the writer reprints essays dealing with nature round Melbourne as observed throughout the four se'asons. There is much about birds, both native and acclimatized species, and we are introduced also to some of the wild-flowers, fungi, insects and spiders. Admirable photographic and other illustrations are included. ’ w. B. A. SCHOOL REPORTS If inchester College: Report of the Natural History Society for 1947—1949. Most of this well-produced report is concerned with ornithology. There is a list of species seen from 1933 to 1947 in the Beaulieu area of the New Forest, mostly leferring to part of Scientific Area No. 19 as proposed b)^ the Wild Life C onservation Special Committee. This was prepared in connexion with the Air Ministry’s proposal, since abandoned, to convert Warren Flats into a bombing-range. There are tables and diagrams giving results of observa- tions of the dawn chorus on the' Sunday of the third week in May in the tour years 1946-1949, in connexion with which there is an errata-slip pointing out that in the i937~i946 report the times for the 1946 dawn chorus are all an hour too early so that “the average times list is almost entirely wrong’’. The essay on the Common Snipe by M. B. Casement which was awarded second prize in the R.S.P.B.’s annual open essay competition in 1948 is printed here; the same observer has an article on Reed-Warblers which shows close observation over the breeding-season. There are also local bird notes for 1946—1949 and a report on the progress of ringing by the Society from 1936 to 1949 (69 species, total 4,069) with particulars of recoveries. Among the more interesting local records is a pair of Golden Orioles on June 7th, 1948, five Wa.xwings, the first in the School records since 1917, on February 20th, 1949, and eighteen Black Terns on May 21st, 1948, (the second record for Winchester); the last two occurrences have been reported already in British Birds. There has been a “marked increase’’ of Red-backed Shrike and an appaient complete loss of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Hobby’’. The following are first records of the century; Short-eared Owl, a pair from Febiuaiy ist to loth, 1946, and Common Buzzard of which a pair nested at Farley Mount in 1948. There was also a Great Black-backed Gull on Water Meads on February 23rd, 1947. If the interesting data in these reports are to be of use to other workers a glossary of certain terms used only by the College should be given or it should at least be stated that, when they refer to localities, these are all within five mUes of Winchester and also that “Common Time’’, “Cloister Time and Short Half mean Easter, Summer and Winter Terms respec- tively. Otherwise parts of the reports are intelligible only to Wykehamists. E. Cohen. BOOK RECEIVED. .4 Record of the Birds of Guernsey. — Compiled by Air Commodore Henry Le Marchant Brock, C.B., D.S.O., M.B.O.U. (La Societe Guernesiaise Guernsey, 6/-). LETTER. DIS.-VBLEMENT-REACTIONS OF TRAPPED BIRDS. To the Editors of British Birds. Sirs,— Mr. K. E. L. Simmons’s letter (antea, p. 40) on this subject draws attention to reactions in trapped birds intermediate between remaining immobile on the open hand and the e.xtreme, trance-like “death feigning’’. A further case may be of interest. On May 15th, 1949, at Towcester, Northants, I trapped a male Yellow Bunting, which was held in the hand in the usual way while it was being ringed. In order to release it the hand was opened slowly, but the bird continued to lie dormant on its back, gradually closing its eyes and letting its 144 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. tail drop on to my hand. It would evidently have remained thus for a con- siderable time und when I rolled it onto its side its head lay over the edge of my palm with its eyes still closed. I then allowed the claws to come in contact with one of my fingers and rolled it over until it became upright. It perched on my finger with head lolling forward. Slowly it opened its eyes and appearing to regain consciousness flew away with natural ease. N. C. Moore. BINDING BRITISH BIRDS, VOL. XLIII. H. F. & G. WITHERBY’S BIRD BOOKS BIRDS OF THE COAST, C. A. Gibson-Hill. ‘‘A handy and excellently illustrated little book, designed for tl field naturalist. The whole plan of the book is ideal for the he and encouragement of the enthusiast who is not yet expert Bi no expert can afford to miss this book.” — The Field Cr. 8vo. 216 pp. ' lOs. 6d. ne ®BITISH sea birds, C. a. Gibson-Hill. Cr. 4to. 144 pp. 94 photographs. Cloth bd. 18s. Od. net De Luxe binding 63s. Od. net. BIRD MIGRATION, A. Landsborough-Tbomson. This standard work has been entirely reset and includes revisions to the illustrations. La. Cr. 8vo. 183 pp. 8s. 6d. net. THE LIFE OF THE ROBIN, David Lack. A revised edition of this very valuable work on a single bird Cr. 8vo. 224 pp. Illustrated. 3s ^d. net. HOW TO KNOW BRITISH BIRDS, N. H. Joy. A Bird-Lover’s Manual. Illustrated in colour and black and white Cr. 8vo. 136 pp. / SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS 9/- for 3 lines (minimum); 3/- for each extra line or part thereof. For the use of a Box Number there is an extra charge of I/- ; Advertisements for a particular issue should reach this office by the 21st of the preceding month. All communications to be addressed to : — H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd., 5, Warwick Court, London, W.C.I. NORTH NORFOLK COAST. — Moorings Hotel, Over/ Staithe. The Hotel standing on a Tidal Creek facing Salt Marshes and Scolt Head Island Bird Sanctuary re-opens 20th April this year. 8 miles from Cley Sanctuary WEST WALES.— Our Caravans solve your accommodation difficulties. 2 or 4-berth fully equipped vans placed where you like or you tow. Zodiac Caravans, Cwm-Llan Pontfaen, Nr. Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. Tel. 3102 and 2118. FARMHOUSE ACCOMMODATION (Modernised).— Any season, Near coast. Own woods, marshes, streams. Higher Wembsworthy, Hartland, North Devon. FIELD FACILITIES FOR AMATEURS. — Course of instruction in Bird Identification, Coast Birds, Field Techniques, etc., are run by the Council for the Promotion of Field Studies in centres staffed by expert ornithologists and sited in particularly favourable spots on the Pembrokeshire coast, high in the Penmores, etc. Detaiisfrom the Director, 10, Exhibition Road, London, S.W.7 ORNITHOLOGISTS wishing to study the bird-life of North Pembroke- shire should stay at Bancyrhyd Guest-House, Newport, Pern. Four-berth caravan also available by the sea. Terms mod. W. C. Taunton, proprietor. Printed in Gt. Britain by Witherby & Co., Ltd., London, W.C.I. Published by H. F. & G. WITHERBY, LTD., 6 Warwick Court, W.C.I. British BIRDS AN lU.USTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOl ED CHIEFLY TO THE BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST Monthly is. Yearly its. MAY»I9ji , VoL. XLIV. No. j Published' by H. F. 4l G. Witherby Ltd. I BRITISH BIRDS EDITORS. E. M. Nicholson and W. B. Alexander - A. W. Boyd P. A. D. Hollom - N. F. Ticehurst J. D. Wood Contents of Number 5, Vol. XLIV, May, 1961. Editorial The movements of Swifts in summer. By H. G. Hurrell The use of mobile observers in the study of patterns of migration By Arnold Darlington VVaxwings in the winter of 1949-50. By John and Christina Gibb Aggressive display of the Corn-Crake. By A. G. Mason The flights of the Red-backed Shrike. By J. H. Owen Inland passage of Black Terns in the spring of 1950. By Ivan M Goodbody Page *45 146 152 158 163 166 170 Notes : — Unusual call of Raven (David i\I. Griffin and D. L. McCallum) Feeding of juvenile Goldfinch by another juvenile (Edwin Cohen) . Continental Goldcrest in Ireland (C. Douglas Deane) Chiffchaff bathing on wet leaves (A. V. Cornish) Robin using same nest for successive broods (John Denny) ... Unusual breeding behaviour of House-Martin (James G. Warner) ... A further note on the breeding habits of the Swift (A. S. Cutcliffe) Gurgling trill of the Tawny Owl (John H. Crook) Flight behaviour of Spoonbill (Barry Goater and John H. Crook) Importance of bathing in the display of the Mallard (R. G. Pettitt) ... Sooty Shearwater in Barents Sea (Eric Duffey) Feeding habits of Greenshank (K. E. L. Simmons) Stone-Curlew eating eggs (George Brown) A case of Herring-Gulls learning by experience to feed after the explosion of mines (D. A. Vleugel) *74 *74 *75 *75 *75 176 176 *77 *77 178 *79 *79 *79 180 Short Notes : — Wood-Lark breeding in Middlesex. Wood-Lark nesting in growing corn. Early Sedge- Warbler in Norfolk. Sunbathing of Black- bird. Food-storing by Tawny Owl. Ospreys in Herefordshire and Merionethshire. Wood-Pigeon nesting in old nest of Moorhen ... 180 Reviews : — The Breeding-birds of the Netherlands. By A. L. J, Van Ijzendoorn... 181 Grdnlands Fugle. Parti. By Finn Salomonsen ... ... ... 182 Letters : — The late B. W. Tucker (Major W. M. Congreve) 184 Blue Tits caught in mousetraps (John S, Ash) ... ... 184 BRITISH BIRDS Number 5, Vol. XLIV, May, 1951. EDITORIAL. As announced in British Birds for March a new editorial board whose members are named on the title-page, becomes responsible for the conduct of the magazine beginning with this issue. It is intended to maintain broadly the existing traditions, standards and format while progressively carrying out a number of improvements and adjng suitable new features as circumstances permit. Sue^estions and criticisms from readers will be welcomed The most immediate task is to. catch up with arrears. Subject to any exceptional delays beyond their own control the editors will work to a timetable ensuring regular publication on the ist or 2nd of each month. drastic steps must now be taken to deal with the accumulation of Notes and hope to have the goodwill of all concerned in re-estabhshmg the necessary conditions for reasonably prompt publication m future. This will involve continuing through the summer to devote an abnormal share of space to Notes havW This problem IS now being considered and, from now on while full supporting details should continue to be supplied and will be kept permanently available for authentication, the editors will often he unable to publish them at length and instead will make a summarv Thanks largely to the inspiration and help of Bernard Tucker many parts of Great Britain are now covered by regular bird reports of good standing ,n which records of comparative rarWefand unusual occurrences could often be more aphopriately puWisS in C Without any hard-and-fast rule it is^intended in consultation with their editors to arrange for a number of these records m future to be handled in this way. Thus more space can be given m British Birds to more prompt and comprSsive nohces of interesting occurrences in local reports, m^/ of wh cp are at present missed except by their subscribers. Area^ not covered by such reports will, however, not be affected. ^otes which are essentially amplifications or corrections of some bf Handbook wiU continue to gratefully received and it is hoped that from time to time brief summanes can be put in to indicate the points cTvered™ d fte contnbuted them, and that they can be made will nnt'h working on these subjects. They 146 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Book reviews form the other special problem of arrears. Many- important works published in the last few years have not been reviewed in British Birds and it seems equally inadvisable to try to review them conventionally at this late date or to leave them without notice. The editors and publishers therefore aim, if possible, to bring out in the autumn a special Supplement of recent ornithological literature covering the most important publications of interest to British ornithologists arranged by subjects in the form of a convenient and authoritative critical guide and summary for reference. Various improvements will be introduced, for example, in the publication of results of bird-ringing, but these must be gradual as it is unlikely that the arrears can be overtaken and normal working achieved before the autumn. It is hoped that the fuller division of labour made possible by the enlarged editorial board and the help of eminent referees will enable more specialized attention to be devoted to the wide range of subjects covered by British Birds, and its contents to become more fully representative of the best current work in each field. Readers are particularly requested to note that all editorial correspondence should continue to be addressed to Mr. J. D. Wood, 74 Shinfield Road, Reading, and not to the other editors. THE MOVEMENTS OF SWIFTS IN SUMMER. (A report to the British Trust for Ornithology). BY H. G. Hurrell. Introduction . 1950 was a good year for studying the movements of Swifts {Apus opus). Well over 20,000 were reported during the special watch held under the auspices of the British Trust for Ornithology. This covered the arrival period prior to May 15th, 1950. Another 20,000 Swifts have been noted during the remainder of the season. These were recorded chiefly at a few strategic points, mostly on the coast. Movements have been found to take place, not only during arrival and departure, but in the middle of the breeding season as well. The date when a movement occurs is the main reason for classifying it as immigration, emigration or a movement occurring between the two. There is no certain way of distinguishing these movements in the field although there is a tendency for larger numbers to group together when they are leaving the country, and greater use is then made of routes along the coast. To understand the timing of these movements it is well tq VOL. kLlv.] MOVEMENT OF SWIFTS IN SUMMER. 147 remember the length of time required by the Swift for breeding. The period during which the nest-site is in use is about 8o days, that is, less than 3 months. In England the main arrivals reach their sites about the second or third week of May. Laying takes place towards the end of May, though often not until the begin- ning of June. Hatching is some 19 days later. Hatching to fledging can vary from 33 to 56 days, according to the season and the availability of food. This means that it is the end of July or early August before the majority of young Swifts are on the wing. Both old and young depart with little or no delay after nesting. In S. Finland the young fly about the 3rd week of August, while in Portugal they leave the nest a month earlier. Arrival. The organized watch in 1950, which lasted up to May 15th, covered the earlier part of the arrival period. The main direction, as in the case of previous watches, was northwards. The Swifts appear to penetrate the country from the south and work north- wards. Arrivals over many years average a day or two earlier in the S.W. than in the S.E. The east coast, as a rule, is reached rather late and, usually, in such small numbers that there is little to in- dicate any spring passage of Swifts through the British Isles to other countries. There was, however, an exceptionally large passage in East Anglia in mid-May, 1950. Mid-season movements. It is difficult to say when the arrival period ends because move- rnents which have a migratory appearance may take place at any time while Swifts are in this country. Large movements occur in June and eaTly July. A theory, supported by much evidence, has been put forward by Koskimies (1947) to account for these mid- season movements. They are thought to be undertaken because unfavourable weather forces the Swifts to seek regions with more adequate food supplies. The food of the Swift is adversely affected by the passage of a cyclone or depression. It is suggested that they endeavour to avoid an advancing depression by flying against the wind round the S.E. side of it. Koskimies considers that first year non-breeding Swifts, and, to a varying extent, the breeding birds also, undertake these weather-movements. On June 15th, 1947, a large coastal movement of this kind took place at Hythe, Kent, when 2,000 Swifts flew S.W. against a wind which was exceptionally cold for the time of the year. Towards the end of June, 1950, there were large mid-season move- ments. At Gibraltar Point, near Skegness, Lincolnshire, 100 Swifts passed S.W. on June 25th, 2,000 on June 26th, 1,750 on June 27th and 1,200 on June 29th. There was a heavy passage west along the foreshore at Cley, Norfolk beginning on June 26th. It reached its peak on June 27th when, between 7.00 and20.oo (G.M.T.), nearly 5,000 passed. A few were stiU passing on the 28th and they tended to increase again on June 29th and 30th. The wind was 148 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. S.W., force 2-4, and the weather fine and sunny. The third larw movement about this time occurred at Strete, near Slapton, S. Devon, on June 29th when between 1/2,000 Swifts flew south down the coast. A similar number was seen the following day, June 30th. About 80 passed on July ist. Again the weather was fine and clear and the wind S.W., force 2. A much smaller movement took place at Havergate> Suffolk, where small numbers were seen flying S. Large numbers appeared at Pett Level, Sussex, on Tune 27th and 29th. ' These coasts have one thmg in common ; they face roughly S.E. except Cley, which faces between N. and N.E. Devon has coasts facing several ways, but the place where the passage was seen is near the south-easterly promontory known as Start Point. At Gland, S.E. Sweden, vast numbers sometimes fly S. down the coast. They did so in June, 1950. Swifts were absent from the islands of Lundy and Skokholm during the latter part of June, 1950. There were no reports of mid-season movements on coasts which could possibly be described as facing W. or N.W. Yet it is known that several points on such coasts were covered by observers. If our mid-season movements were always bad-weather move- ments, it might be expected that a comparison of the data with the meteorological records would show some sort of broad correlation. At times this can be found, but there are also cases when there is no obvious connexion between major movements and low temperatures or low pressures. Moreover, there are sometimes marked differences between the records of the various coastal stations. Peak numbers at one station do not necessarily coincide with peak numbers at another. Often there is a large passage at one place and little or none further along the coast. The noteworthy point about the 1950 mid-breeding season records is that they took place at a time when weather conditions were comparatively stable. An anticyclone was then maintaining fine, rather w'arm weather over most of the British Isles, with maximum temperatures up to 80 . Away in the extreme N., however, the weather was unsettled. At Gibraltar Point the previous year (1949) no less than 1,000 passed S.W., on June 30th. Before this date few Swifts had been seen there. On July 3rd, 550 passed and on July 4th, 500. They constituted peak numbers for the year. These records are of outstanding interest because the weather in 1949 was remarkably favourable for breeding Swifts. On June 28th I motored across England from Cambridge to Devon and at dozens of towns, villages and hamlets I saw Swifts on the wing near nesting siteL Only two Swifts (Somerset) were seen during the whole journey in open country away from possible nesting sites. The conclusion seemed obvious that abundant insect food was available in the vicinity of the nests. A larg(! anticyclone maintained fine weather throughout VOL. xLiv.] MOVEMENT OF SWIFTS IN SUMMER. 149 150 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. June and the first three weeks of July. There was an absence of depressions or cold spells. Clearly the Swifts seen at Gibraltar Point were not engaged in bad-weather movements. What, then, were they doing ? What Swifts, we may well ask, would be likely to take part in these travels ? British breeding Swifts were apparently able to satisfy their needs in 1949 near their nesting-sites, though it must be remem- bered that the arrival of the young must cause a steep rise in the demand for food towards the end of June. There is the possibility that they were first season, non-breeding Swifts. These are known to pair and occupy sites for a time without breeding. It seems reasonable to suppose that such Swifts do participate in these journeys. But it may be doubted whether almost all the Swifts which streamed past Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire, in the fine weather of 1949 were first year birds. 194^ was a calamitous season for Swifts in Central and Northern Europe and very few young were reared. This would mean few first-year Swifts in 1949. It is, therefore, questionable if such Swifts would be available in sufficient numbers to produce the peak passage of the year at Gibraltar Point. Other Swifts which might join in to swell the numbers would be adults which for one reason or another, such as inequality of the sexes or nest destruction, had failed to breed. These non-breeding Swifts, whether first year or adult, might be drawn from colonies of Swifts either in Britain or on the Continent or from both sources. If they were British Swifts, the stream of coasting birds at Gibraltar Point would, presumably, have to be built up by birds which had crossed Lincolnshire towards the North Sea, and had been deflected down the coast. In connection with the S. Devon movement it is interesting to note that on the day it began unusual numbers of Swifts were seen at Totnes. They were circling and feeding, but all the time working S. This is some miles inland. There is evidence which suggests the possibility of an influx from the Continent about the end of June. Records from the east coast in former years seem to indicate something of this kind. At the Corton Lightship, which is 5 miles off the coast near Lowestoft, Swifts passed from E. to W. nearly every day in June, 1934, and on Jur e 19th and 26th all day. In the middle of the North Sea one Swift was seen from a ship on June 26th, 1930, two more on July 1st and another on July 6th in the same year (positions 54° 35^N., 4 50 E- ; 54°45'N., 4°io'E. ; 54°25'N., 4°2o'E., respectively). At Havergate Island, Suffolk on June 22nd, 1948, Avocet watchers saw about 290 Swifts come in from the N.E. or E.N.E. and proceed S.W. They passed in half an hour (20.00 to 20.30) on a well- marked lii:e of flight, but whether they had come in from the sea or down the coast could not be ascertained. The following day 300 to 400 Swifts took the same course about mid-day. Nothing of the kind had been seen previous to this although constant watch was kept throughout the season. Local Swifts did not exceed four. VOL. XLiv.] MOVEMENT OF SWIFTS IN SUMMER. 151 There are one or two mid-season records, in previous years, of odd Swi ts being seen, when several miles from shore, crossing the sea towards England In 1950 at Pett Level, Sussex, 57 Swifts were seen to drift in from the sea, with the wind, from the S.W. on June 23rd, 1950. On June 25th and 29th, 1950, near Plymouth Swi s were seen to cross the coast and fly inland. The idea of Svafts coming to this country at the end of June raises the question whether they could have already finished breeding further south. Information about breeding dates in the Mediterranean regions IS scanty, but it is difficult to believe they could do it in the time. The prospect of going further north to breed at this late date would be practically hopeless. What can be the advantage of changeable climate seems to offer more dangers than bmefits. Can it be that the Continent becomes too hot or^too dry. There is, as yet, insufficient evidence to say whether the arge mid-season movements are composed mainly of our own Swifts or of Swifts which have just arrived from overseas. . . Emigration and Passage Movements. IS impossible to say just when emigration begins since it commences durmg July when mid-season movements may still taking place. Many breedmg Swifts and most non-breeckrs leave fte ^le^' '950 Swifts were frequently on the move The peak day was July 22nd when 3,000 Swifts passed Li'^colnshire. On this date numerous Swifts were sighted elsewhere. Throughout July the Bird Observafnrv islands of Lundy and Skokholm showed remarkably close agreemeat bokTeTofdTd ‘*'^*"* '5 days mth ®a northerly component in”‘ tefr* line"of“ight “‘rhe^mai'n directions were S. or S.W. Early in the month this count??fe practically drained of breeding Swifts. Yet quite large numLrs were recorded throughout the month at favoured spots especiSv on the east coast. In the west there was a lull between August nth Th ^ast 10 days of August there was a widespread and, for the time of year, remarkably strong wave. Small numbers were seen at several coastal points in the west, while in the east numbers rose to 800 at Gibraltar Point on the 29th, 100 at Sourn ead on the 26th and 112 in W. London on the 28th. Such laree numbers on these late dates are surprising. It is suspected that laiT ^J^jely Swifts from other countries in more northerly latitudes visiting this country on their return passage. September Swif s were seen at 10 different places. In the Isle of M?y more Swifts were seen in September than in any other month ^There were four October records : October ist, Lincolnshire ; October 2nd and 12th, Norfolk ; October 6th, Sussex. ^ciooer Summary. Swifts, when they arrive, travel mainly from S, to N, into this 152 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. wuntry. There is little to suggest a spring passage through Britain to other countries. The arrival period is succeeded by mid- season movements which are sometimes caused by bad weather. In 1949 and 1950 strong mid-season movements occurred during spells of fine anticyclonic weather. It is possible that the Swift population in Britain may sometimes be reinforced in mid-season by an influx from the Continent. Emigration is in full swing at the end of July and in early August. Strong movements continued in 1950 in mid and late August. These are so late that they are sus- pected of being passage movements through Britain from countries further north. During the whole of August, 1950, scarcely a Swift was reported with a northerly component in the direction of its flight. Their main direction was S. or S.W. Acknowledgements. I am greatly ir debted to all who have participated in the various watches and especially to those who have submitted observations taken after the “ official ” watch ended. REFERENCES. Koskimies, J. (1947). " On movements of the Swift during the breeding season. Ornis Fennica, xxiv, No. 3-4, 1947. Koskimies, J. (1950). ' The life of the Swift, Micropus apus, in relation to the weather.” Ann. Acad. Sci. Fennicae, iv, Biol. 15. Hurrell, H. G. (1947 to 1950). Reports on the first four special watches for migrant Swifts circulated by the B.T.O. RiviSre, B. B. (1932). Ornithological Report 'for Norfolk for 1931. Brit. Birds, vol. xxv, p. 343. Riviere, B. B. (1935). Ornithological Report for Norfolk for 1934. Brit. Birds, vol. xxviii, p. 357. Tait, W. C. Birds of Portugal. London. (1924). Wolfe Murray, D. K. (1931). North Sea Migrants, 1930. Brit. Birds vol. xxv, pp. 6-1 1. THE USE OF MOBILE OBSERVERS IN THE STUDY OF PATTERNS OF MIGRATION. BY Arnold Darlington. Much of the observation work on the migration of the Swift {Apus apus) done in the years 1947-50 has been carried out at fixed vantage points. In general, this method has resulted in the acqui- sition of useful statistical data, but inherent in it are several possible sources of error. In the first place, a particular post may be outside a major migra- tory stream so that birds observed from it may represent only the fringes of the surge and their movements may be atypical of the whole. There is often a tendency to assume that birds moving VOL. XLiv.] MOBILE OBSERVATION OF MIGRATION. 153 ri6Er 3,n obs6rv3.tion-post forrn 3, defined flight-line, irrespective of whether or not other watchers are available to check this assumption. Again, the distance through which movement can be traced depends largely upon the topographical features of the particular locality and It may be so restricted that only local peculiarities of movement may actually be observed. Apparently, certain vantage points such as breeding-sites, tend to deflect Swifts and abnormalities may arise from this cause also. It may be difficult to decide from a fixed point of observation whether a succession of birds represents a true migratory movement and not merely a repetitive sequence of residents flying in a wide arc. Any shift in the distribution of ight-lmes from day to day may be difficult to assess accurately trom a series of fixed posts and impossible from a solitary one. These difficulties are reduced if watchers deploy over an area and attempt both to locate the main concentrations of Swifts and to foUow up any flight-lines radiating from them. The use of mobile squads of observers operating on bicycles has proved particularly effective in this connexion, and it is a noteworthy fact that a bicycle can often be ridden at a speed greater than the ground speed of a migran. Swift. In practice, units of three have been found to be most economical in the use of time and personnel. In surveying- an area of country, these units are despatched in larger groups and instructed to patrol, so far as the ground will allow, at right angles to the general trend of flight. A succession of these patrols extend- ing m the direction taken by the migrants facilitates the plotting of the mam concentrations. When a concentration is located some ot the units are dispersed from the patrol and are sent to follow up apparent lines of migrants converging upon the point of attraction been found easier to trace a line back against the direction of flight than to attempt to follow the birds. The use ^ enables an estimate to be made of the SeiaUv "trike out laterally while the third maintains a watch at a point within the toThid^Lirof ffighi'" the^ an intensive study to be made of migrating Swifts passing through south ,, / geshire. In this district, the Cambridge sewage farm ttracts large numbers of passage Swifts, and it was used as a centre Jr somewhr After seveS hJL uneven passage over the area, a strong flow of birds began to develop during the morning of May 6th and this and^^f ,^be following day when several thous- KiVHc , crossed the farm. The main stream of incoming south-east, and this was traced for some eight d„.T ^be Hertfordshire border Gradually several small but persistent “ feeders from 0^ 154 British birds. [VOL. XLIV. Map I : The middle Cam Valley, showing flight-lines of Swifts TRACED BY CYCLE PATROLS, MaY 6TH-7TH, I95O. VOL. xLiv.] MOBILE OBSERVATION OF MIGRATION. 155 156 BRITISH BIRDS [VOL. XLIV, Map 2b : The Cam Valley, showing flight-lines of Swifts traced BY CYCLE PATROLS, MaY I4TH, I950. (NORTHERN PART.) VOL. XLiv.] MOBILE OBSERVATION OF MIGRATION. 157 directions developed. One of the most remarkable of these was a thin line of Swifts moving south-east into the farm from villages two to three miles away : the birds using it were flying low and passing underneath the mam flow of northward-bound birds moving across the farm at a high altitude. Additional streams flowing in both from the east and the west clearly revealed the strong attractive influence of the farm. It was found possible to track the north- bound Swifts for several miles beyond the farm and it was evident ® was no obvious tendency for water-courses to be followed • the birds padually diffused over the cultivated levels of the Fens and were lost to view. Weather conditions were mild and sunnv with a northerly air-stream at force 1-2. On May 14th the weather had deteriorated, with a sharp fall in temperature accompanied by a northerly wind at force 4. These of the striking change in the distribution of the Swifts the birds were showing a strong tendency to concen- trate over water (gravel-pits and the courses of streams) and at the sewage farm, although the area was clearly proving a great attrac tion it appeared merely to be a supplement to the greater attraction of the course of the River Cam immediately to the east. A remark- able congregation of Swifts had gathered along this water-course an toying streams of birds threading their way through them were followed by cyclists for a distance of some 16 miles, frL the u^^r reaches of the river m south Cambridgeshire as far ^s its unIrSdth and^arr of Ely. This flight-line was so concentrated and narrow that following it up was comparatively simple • it “vS birds. Cyclists probing laterally a, k1 0 ering 120 square miles encountered significant numbers of Swifts only along tributaries of the Cam and Ourriverr iTthe aUrSS wT ‘be predominant direction- ai trend of all Swifts observed in the area it covers appS”thaT“' ‘93o, it would temiiratareTthT''^' coiiditions, with light wind and mild tS Md aitfn! *0 individual acks and although flight-lanes may be followed to some extent T^S?s1eTdT'"‘'*‘^ “A"™* “"y require careM seekS^g; th7%h“ by certain places, and hefe sistingt fh”e?re™^nt‘?rf™ per- atums"a!TdTloTd“)ll!^“"ff‘‘“^ "’!‘b low temper- (168) WAXWINGS IN THE WINTER OF 1949-50. BY John and Christina Gibb. The following report has been compiled at the request of the Editors, who are glad to acknowledge the response of those who have contributed notes. The British Empire Naturalists' Asso- ciation have kindly allowed us to include records already published in their journal (Hebditch, 1950). Rather fewer than 2,000 Wax wings {Bombycilla garrulus) were reported in the British Isles in the winter of 1949-50. This com- pares with about 12,500 birds reported in the great invasion of 1946-47 (Gibb, 1948), and with only about 200 in 1948-49 (Tucker et al., 1950). Percentage of Waxwings reported from each area in monthly periods. Area Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Eeb. Mar. Apl. Total birds reported Scotland 76% 9% 6% 40/„ 50/^ 300 Ireland 52% 14% 27% 7% 73 North England 10% 43% 31% 10% 5% 1% 345 South England 1% 15% 40% 22% 12% 6% 4% E154 British Isles 25% 35% 21% 11% 6% 2% r,86q Although the first bird was reported from Oulton Broad, Suffolk, on October 28th, 1949, the invasion into Scotland was generally earlier than that into England (see Table). But in contrast to the 1946-47 invasion, when great numbers of Waxwings (about 7,000) were reported from Scotland, only about 300 were reported in the winter of 1949-50, and of these 150 were seen together flying in from the sea on the evening of November 21st at Musselburgh, Midlothian. The brunt of the present invasion fell on the east coast from York- shire south to Kent, and especially on the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts (see Map). The greatest number of birds occurred here in December and January. Small numbers penetrated deeply inland, reaching Carmarthenshire and Devon ; others crossed the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man and N. Ireland. Numbers declined sharply towards the end of January, though about 40 birds were reported lingering on into April ; the latest was one at Gosforth, Northumber- land, seen until April i8th. There were insufficient records of the food taken by the Waxwings to make a monthly analysis as was done for the 1946-47 invasion. The following summary gives the number of birds reported taking the different foods. VOL. XLiv.J WAXWINGS IN THE WINTER OF 1949-50 159 Haws Apples Hips Cotoneaster Flies Guelder rose Rowan Pears Drinking water . 169 Asparagus berries 24. I5I Snowberries 2^ 66 Privet —o • • • 2 2 Berberis ... . . . 20 63 Box ... 20 49 Ash keys 19 34 Holly ; ro 29 Pyracantha 3 29 Japanese Pmnus j 1>* Ti* !!■ 10' ■)• 8- WLONO 9" Map to show distribution r E LONQ. isL^s records of the Waxwing in the British ISLES IN THE WINTER OFIO"'^ ” I 949-1950 160 BRITISH BIRDS. [vOL. XLIV. Undigested seeds and skins of haws, and Cotoneasterscndi Pyracantha berries, are thought to have been cast up as pellets by 5 birds at Souther d-on-Sea, at the end of January. The skins of the berries retained their natural colour while fresh, and the seeds were quite clean. The pellets, about \ in. in diameter, were found beneath birds resting in trees at a little distance from where they had been feeding. (H. R. Tutt.) Analysis of 25 faeces from 8 birds at Skegness, Lines., in mid- March, disclosed 186 rose seeds, with the skins and hard tops of the hips, and 14 privet seeds. (A. E. Smith.) A report from Carmarthenshire describes the feeding routine of a single bird feeding on Cotoneaster horizontalis berries on December loth. The bird visited the Cotoneaster for feeding every 5-10 mirutes, taking j-20 berries at each visit. This routine continued from 10.30, when the bird was first discovered, until about 15.00. From then until 16.30 the bird sat in the Cotoneaster for long periods taking about ore berry a minute. The volume of berries consumed in the 6 hours observation was much greater than that of the bird itself. Defaecation occurred every 3-4 minutes. Similar behaviour was noticed until December 15th by which date the Cotoneaster had been completely stripped. (H. R. H. Vaughan.) The amount of food eaten by any wild bird in a day has seldom been recorded. It is possible that the Waxwing offers an unusual opportui ity for studying this, since it eats morsels of more or less cor star t size, namely berries, and the rate at which it takes them may be timed. Furthermore, the berries may be sampled by the observer for weighirg and measuring of volume. The rate of defaecation and analysis of the fasces may provide a useful check on the estimated food consumption. Captain Vaughan’s observa- tions, quoted above, suggest that his bird may have eaten from 600-1,000 Cotoneaster berries in one day. The Rev. J. Lees (in Gibb, 1948) has recorded that a single Waxwing at Avoch, Ross- shire, ate about 500 Cotoneaster berries, weighing about 6 oz., on December 23rd, 1943 (a Waxwing weighs about 2 oz.). It would be most valuable to have further observations of this nature. A Waxwirg fell down a chimney near Hickling, Norfolk, in mid-December; it was caught and released ; a similar incident was reported from Herefordshire in 1947. REFERENCES. Gibb, J. (1948). Report on the immigration of Waxwings, Winter, 1946-7. British Birds, vol. xli, pp. 2-9, 34-40. ^3^|®ditch, G. a. (1950). Waxwings in Britain. Country-Side, vo\. 15(8), pp. Tucker, B. W. et al (1950)- Waxwings in Britain in the winter of 1948-9. British Birds, vol. xliii, pp. 15 1-3. The following is a list of all Waxwings reported, set out by counties : — Devon.— I Stowford, Dec. 12th (B.E.N..'\.). Somerset. — i Porlock, Nov. 12th. 2 Bath, Dec. 26th-27th. i Minehead, VOL. xLiv.J WAXWINGS IN THE WINTER OF 1949-50 161 Jan iith-i4th. (B.E.N.A.. A. V. Cornish, H. J. Craske.) Hampshire.— 2 Barton-on-Sea, Nov. 26th. 1 Breamore Tan a Southampton, Feb. 6th. (B.E.N.A., R. E. Williams.r ’ ■' ^ (B^EN^a')~^ Leonards, Dec.-Feb. Kent.— 2 Sandwich, Nov. 21st: 2s-to Dec rath-lan t=+- ■ , j Feb. 28th. 6 Richborough, near Sandwich, Dec. ^th j about lo^'oec. ' loth- rmd Jan. , 18. Jam 21st ; last one seen Mar. 31st. i Dover, Nov. 26th • 4, Feb. 23rd. 5 Deal, Nov. 26th ; 9, Dec. 29th ; 8, Jan. 9th and '’2nd ’ V Margate, Dec. 6th;' 12, Dec. 29th- Tan. loth Some Sandgate, Dec. 15th. 'Up to 20, Maidstone, Dec. i8th-28th • also Jan. 27th-29th; 9-17, Feb. 7th-i2th ; 15, Feb. 2ist-22nd- i Feb 2.rd f Bexlev 3 until April i4tl’ 9, Bexley Heath, Dec. 28th. i Canterbury, Dec. 29th. 12 Sittinebourne ^Sth ^10 FMkestone^^^"''^^^’ H 5th. i Rochester, Jan.’ Folkestone, Jan. 23rd; 7, Jan. 28th; i, Feb. 19th- s Alar ath 2 Otford Jan. 24th. i Barham, Jan. 25th. i Wrotham Tan’ 28th ^ ^ Aylesford, Jan. 28th. (B.F.N.A. R Forster D ip r u t Hollyer, J, F. Naylor, 1 Pettet, A K “ Toik ) MaldorDe7‘aoZ'",‘’‘'S^;°’, o" * Now K V. ElphLtooo, N^Got^R . . Bf-wo , , omSefW^SrTS^n'Jr' ""f' 3rd, loth. V H^nS: 5 Soutixend-bn si, Jan 2ii-Feb-^i^th ^6 r ^^d week Jan. first week Feb. to ^rd week MarS' v iffrn w /th week Jan. ; 17 Baker, B. A. B. Barton, B.F^N A ^,./e ? r r Robertson, H. R. Tutt, N. F. Whi ) Ennion, H. Murray, A. 'W. P. Hertfordshire. — i Royston, Jan. 29th Mar '>5rd m r m a \ (W. ^Pl' Apl. 7th 3ott^S-k7D«.t7s^k'°t'n°^; ="‘''■0.“' ■'“>1 li-d. Dec. 4th- 4th; 2, Mar. 26th;^4 Mar’ 27th ^ 6 W^ll’ i8th ; r, Mar. Nov. 29th. 6 Lo^ottolf N?v ’ ,„th 15-20 Corton, Mar. 3, St. Some Doberrham 'oef r'st ' 2^ s= ‘ ’• Jan. 25th. 10-12 Woodbride-k TW h Saxmundham, Dec. 2nd ; 6, last 2, Feb. 14th. S to 30, Dec. 22nd-Feb.; Ipswich, Dec. nth; 23 by Dec t,Tst"’ ^ Beydon, Dec. 6th. 5 19th to mid Alarch; 22^ Mar throughout Jan. ; 30, Feb. Leiston, Jan. ist-2nd ’ -7 1 ^ Gunton, Dec. 28th. 14-20 Middleton, Feb. 25th ^tfi-2oth. 2 Bungay, Feb. 3rd. i Maj. Birch, F. P Ster F Chf barton, B.KN A Ilderton, F. W. C. and H^F Tenner^^F?’ k Ennion, K. S. C. Porter, J. R. Read’ T SJ* w r^’ R. A. Long, ker, J. G. Warner, K. R. WiskS.^^^’ J' P- ^al- Surlingham, Nov.^ith^^ig^^Der’ ^ “^th. 30 Claxton, Nov. 3oth-Dec ’bth ’ r o r r ^ Griston, Nov. 30th. 25-30 wich, Dec. 4th ; abit , W i L Jam 29th. 2 pNoi 5. Feb. nth; 2, Feb 14th 8 ’s/w 'l) -ist-23rd ; 6, Feb. 5th 8, Dec. 28th. 9 HetheJsett Dec r rih^’ ? w " ’^'^™°uth, Dec. 8th ; 12 Eaton, Dec. 19th. i HicSL" Dec. 17th. About '4 - RrllmS, Jarr. "d" St, 162 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. i5th-2otli. 6 New Costessey, Feb. 2nd. 7 Thorpe, Feb. 26th. 5 Easton, Mar. 5th. (Miss Barnes, B.E.N.A., G. Blazeby, E. Daniels, E. A. Ellis, P. Hartley, H. J. Howard, D. J. Imrie, P. D. Kirby, V. Pearson, R. G. Pettitt, M. J. Seago, R. Sistern, R. G. Ticehurst, A. E. Vine.) Gloucestershire. — i Coleford, Dec. 13th; i, Jan. 24th (B.E.N.A.). Herefordshire. — i Leintwardine, Nov. 28th (A. A. W. Peach). Staffordshire. — i Lichfield, Dec. 24th-26th. i near Stoke, Dec. 27th. (B.E.N.A.) Shropshire. — 4 Whitchurch, Nov. 28th. 1 Llanymynech, Dec. 12th. (B.E.N.A., J. H. Owen.) Carmarthenshire. — i Llandovery, Dec. loth-iith ; 2, Dec. I2th-i5th. 1 Trimsaran, Dec. 19th. (B.E.N.A., H. R. H. Vaughan.) Lincolnshire. — 2 Cleethorpes, Dec. 2nd ; 10, Dec. loth. i Spilsby, Dec. 14th, lylh. 2 Goxhill, Dec. 20th. 9 Limber, Dec. 20th. 2 near Grimsby, Dec. 26th. 8 Ulceby, Jan. 24th. 8 near Skegness, Mar. 9th-ioth ; 4, Mar. i4th-i5th ; some Mar. 28th. (B.E.N.A., R. Baumber, C. L. Ottaway, A. E. Smith.) Leicestershire. — 5 Quorn, Feb. 3rd. 1 Leicester, Feb. 7th. 8 Nar- borough, Feb. I5th-2ist. (L. K. Dallaston, R. A. O. Hickling, G. H. Hunt.) Derbyshire. — 2 Derby, Dec. ist, also few until end month. 10 near Chesterfield, Dec. 31st. 5 Melbourne, Jan. 9th-iith. 4 Wingerworth, Feb. 12th. (B.E.N.A., per N. Harwood.) Cheshire. — 2 Hale Barns, Nov. 27th. i Acton Bridge, Dec. 9th. i North- wich, Dec. 3rd (B.E.N.A., H. Bostock, E. Gorton.) Yorkshire.-^ Kirbymoorside, Dec. 3rd ; 30-40, Dec. 12th ; 20, Jan. loth. 2 Leeds, Dec. 13th. 7 Pickering, Dec. 15th; about 12, Dec. 25th; 10, Mar. 19th. About 10 Hull, Dec. 20th. i Wharfedale, Dec. 2ist-24th ; up to 19, all Jan. ; 7, Mar. 4th. 2-4 Harrogate, Dec. 2ist-29th ; 7, Jan. loth ; about 20, Jan. iith ; i, Jan. 21st ; 7, Feb. 7th-i2th ; 25-30, Feb. i6th-i7th ; 9, Feb. i8th ; i. Mar. 4th ; 7, Mar. 14th ; 6, Mar. 26th. Some Scotton, about Dec. 25th. 5 Cottingham, Dec. 27th. 3 Keighley, Dec. 28th. 6 Filey, Jan. loth-Feb. nth. Some Whitby, Jan. 12th. 12 Ferriby, Jan. i6th ; 5, Jan. 28th-Feb. 3rd. 7 Northallerton, Jan. 26th. Some York, Jan. 27th. 2 Pateley Bridge, Feb. 4th. 2 Kelbrook, Feb. loth. i Stockton, Feb. 12th. I near Bradford, Feb. 23rd. (B.E.N.A., C. Huddleston, K. Ilder- ton, M. W. Pickering, H. A. Robinson, K. G. Spencer, A. F. G. Walker.) Durham. — 25 Middlesbrough, Nov. i4th-2ist. 16 Hartlepool, Dec. 24th-3ist. (B.E.N.A.) Northumberland. — 4 Newcastle, Nov. 29th ; 3, Jan. 14th. i Gosforth, Apl. ioth-i8th. (B.E.N.A., A. D. Forster.) Cumberland. — 5 Keswick, Dec. 23rd. 6 Carlisle, J an. ist-4th. (B.E.N.A.) Isle of Man. — 2 Douglas, Nov. 15th (B.E.N.A.). SCOTLAND. Berwickshire. — i Ayton, Dec. 27th (B.E.N.A.). Midlothian. — ii Musselburgh, Nov. 13th; up to 29. Nov. i5th-24th ; 150 flew in from sea, Nov. 21st; i, Dec. 4th. 6 Edinburgh, Mar. 24th. (B.E.N.A., D. M. Wallace.) East Lothian. — 5 Aberlady, Dec. nth (B.E.N.A.). Fife. — 2 Leuchars, Dec. 6th-ioth ; i, Dec. 13th (D. M. Turner-Ettlinger). Perth. — 30 near Perth, Nov. 26th ; lo, Dec. 23rd-24th (B.E.N.A.). Aberdeenshire. — 6-7 Aberdeen, Jan. 28th ; few until 3rd week March (A. Watson, V. C. Wynne-Edwards) . Elgin. — 2 Elgin, Nov. 7th ; i, Dec. 23rd (B.E.N.A.). Nairn. — 7 Nairn, Feb. 4th; i, Mar. 12th (B.E.N.A.). Inverness-shire. — 3 Inverness, Mar. 25th (B.E.N.A.). Ross-shire. — 2 Alness, Dec. 25th (R. Hewson). Sutherland. — 2 Lassynt, Nov. 7th-3oth. 6-7 near Brora, Nov. loth. Some Lochinver, Nov. 20th. Some Stoer, Jan. 8th. (B.E.N.A., R. Hewson.) IRELAND Co. Dublin. — Some Bray, mid-Dec. {Irish Times). VOL. xLiv.] WAXWINGS IN THE WINTER OF 1949-50. 163 Co. Down. — Some Newcastle, Nov. 24th (B.E.N.A.) 5 Bangor, Nov. 25th. Co. Antrim. About 20 Larne, Nov. 23rd. 15-20 Greenisland, Jan. 2oth-2Tst. 3 Ballymena, Nov. 25th. 5 Belfast, Feb. 12th (B.E.N.A.). AGGRESSIVE DISPLAY OF THE CORN-CRAKE. • BY A. G. Mason The accompanying photographs of the aggressive display of the Corn-Crake {Crex crex) were obtained by calling a bird up to a mirror. The technique of calling up a Corn-Crake, using bones has been previously described (i, 2). When the photographs were taken two hides were used. Mr. F. W. Fox was in one, with the mirror immediately in front of it, and the photographs were taken from the other. The experiments were made on the afternoons of May 27th and June 4th, 1950, on the same bird, at Saggart Co. 4^^ was hot and sunny • but the bird s performance was the same on both occasions When the bird came up to the “ call ” and saw its reflection in the mirror it checked and craked and then made repeated displavs and attacks, interspersed with bouts of craking, at its reflection On both days it was still active when all my plates were exposed’ out of the hides, after three-quarters of an hour or so! The Corn-Crake uses three postures in its aggressive display. uny definite order but it IS possible that m nature they would do so. posture was craking with the wings half open and with the head and neck inclined forward. This posture was also seen when a bird made an apessive display at a dummy in 1943 (3) ft IS well shown m the photographs (Plates 17-19). It is a different r Wot Wh^''^ adopted when craking away from an opponent or a mirror. When craking normally ” the head and neck are more near y vertical and the wings closed. In both cases when craking the lower mandible remains almost stationary and the beak if throwing the head back and raising the upper mandible with fb (Plates 20 and 21) the bird stands or walks with the body held normally though the head and neck are raised more than in the usual position adopted when walking through nto the sides so that the tips of the primaries touch, behind and hnS f b ^ a shape like the inverted bow of a boat. The ck feathers project out over the touching wings. This posture 164 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. was seen on one occasion when an experiment was made in a short meadow which contained two birds on May 31st, 1942. Both birds came up to the “ call ” and made this display at each other while running round in seemingly aimless curves — presumably jockeying for position. In my notes of previous experiments with a dummy (4) there are several references to birds commencing to display in Jong grass, when approaching the dummy, with the wings stretched back instead of sideways as in the courtship display. It is probable that some, at least, of these birds were making an aggressive display. In the present experiments this posture was not adopted at the first approach to the mirror, but later on after attacks and other displays. It is probably essentially an approach display made when the bird IS moving towards an opponent in sight. In the mirror experiments it was probably induced by the movement of the reflection as the bird passed in front of the mirror. The “ growling-mew ” note (i) was uttered, with the beak closed, while the bird held this posture. Naming this display the second posture is begging the question. In nature it may well be the first of the sequence, if there is a sequence, though it was only used after the craking posture in these experiments. The third posture is the display previously described (i, 3) in which the bird lunges forward towards its opponent. As it lunges it brings its wings forward twisting them at the same time so that in the final position the top surface of the wing is facing to the front leading edge down ; the head and neck are drawn in and held low with the neck almost touching the ground ; the breast feathers are erected. I he effect is very dramatic. Viewed from the front the bird seems suddenly to increase in size. When pre- viously describing this display I stated that the upper tail-coverts were erected as in the courtship display. This may have been an error in observation, as in previous experiments I was looking down on the bird from almost above it. Certainly the photographs show no sign of these feathers being erected but individual birds vary considerably in the completeness of their postures. The photographs (Plates 22 and 23) of this posture are disappoint- movement was extremely quick and was literally over in a flash. It proved extremely difficult to expose the camera at the right moment, and, even then, the highest speed, i/20oth of a second, proved inadequate to stop movement. In Plate 22, how- ever, the reflection in the mirror shows the wing in the forward position with the upper surface to the front. Plate 23 shows a slightly earlier moment in the display. The bird is bringing its wings up and is lunging forward. The position of the legs in both photographs illustrates the vigour and swiftness of the lunge. j t intervals, on both days, the bird crouched on its tarsi with its wings ha.lf open and out sideways (Plate 24). Its beak was usually ojien and the bird w'as panting as if distressed by its exertions. This was seen more often on May 27th when the weather was cold and BriHsh Birds, Vol. xliv, PJ. 17. British Birds, \'o], xliv, PI. Is Kritish lairds, \'ol. Id. 10. ( Photographed by \. (;. M.\son). British Birds, Vol. xliv, PI. I'n. ;Ri;ssi\ i-, l)lsl■I,.\^• OI-- ('(ir.n-Ckakp: {Crrx rnx) SkcOND |•OSTUkl•.. ^ holographed by A (i M \sON) British Birds. \'ol. xliv, PI. 21. Aggri:s.siv].; disit.av of Cor.x-Cr.vkk (Cirx crex). SfcOXD lOSlURl-.. XOTIC i'l^lMARllCS TOUCHING BF.YOXD TAIL {I'hnlo-^yajihcd hv A. ti. ^[ason). liritisli ]-5ircls, \V)J. xli\-, ]’l, 22. UICSSIVI-: DISIM.AN’ Oi'' ('() KX-C'kAK I-, {CvcX C llllKI) !•( )STHK Fv. TfFIC l.l'Ndl'; !•( ) F< \VA k I ) . Britisli Birds, Vol xliv PI 28 British Birds. V'ol. xliv, PI. 24. MO ) ,l() A\ I.ISKI I.MSS'.IM' VOL. XLiv.] AGGRESSIVE DISPLAY OF CORN-CRAKE. 165 wet. wandered, several times, round the side of the hide, away from the mirror. When this happened I craked from the camera hide. The bird immediately returned to the mirror not as IS usual towards the sound of the crakes. On one occasion on + AT bird came under the side of the mirror hide and looked wiT^' T j adhering to its lower mandible. When I craked from the other hide it immediately ducked back under the edge and ran round to the mirror. On the 27th Mr. ox craked when ^e bird went round the corner of his hide away from the mirror. On this occasion, too, the bird went straight back to the mirror and not towards the sound of the call. On May 27th Mr Fox held the dummy out under the hide beside the mirror. The bird paid no attention to either his hand or the dummy though it must have seen them. When photographing he sexual display using a dummy (i) some years ago the bird was driven aw^ and the dummy taken into the hide while the camera was packed up. The bird came back and Mr. G. F. Mitchell held M M-r ^ attempted coition and with the bird on it, into the hide and picked the bird off the dummy with his other hand As well as displaying to its reflection the bird made numerous h ^ pecked vigorously at the image ; sometimes it half jumped, half flew up and struck with its feet. When the dummy was attacked m previous experiments the attacking bird always stmck with its beak. When a mirror was used on a previous occasion the bird struck with its beak only (4). The mirror used in ^ different shape and only nine inches high ■ had the bird jumped up its reflection would have disappeared^ I have only once seen a fight between two Corn-Crakes (4). The birds were half hidden in long grass. Their wings were seen stretXd almost straight up and beating vigorously. At the time I thought hey lunged at each other with their beaks but they may well have been springing up and striking with their feet. O^ce when a fiSt occurred m long grass, out of sight but close enough to hear tSe was much beating of wings (5). ® ’ In describing the " second ” posture I mentioned that in nature rnight well be the first of a sequence, if there is a sequence There probably IS no sequence in the sense that the different postures form a connected whole with one following another automatically. It IS much more probable that the different postures are induced by different behaviour on the part of the opponent and that the other bird s movement or behaviour supplies the stimulus which evokes the appropriate posture. Thus the craking-with-wings-half onen posture IS probably normally used at the lirst visual contact wift a craking intruder. In experiments with a dummy an approaching May (arLTuusToTcCh "iMe of May (2), IS a Imrst of crakes. I he wings in this case are not opened. 166 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. probably because the dummy is passive and motionless and thus does not supply the stimulus for aggressive behaviour. It takes two to make a hght and this should never be forgotten when studying displays made in unnatural experimental conditions. I have already suggested that the second posture is induced by the sight of a moving opponent. The signal for the third posture may well be an opponent who stands his ground but who does not actually attack. (1) Mason, A. G. (1945). “ The Display of the Corn-Crake.” British Birds, voi. xxxviii, p. 351. (2) Mason, A. G. (1950). ” The Behaviour of Corn-Crakes.” ibid, vol. xliii, p. 70. (3) Mason, A. G. (1944). ” Combat Display of the Corn-Crake.” Irish Naturalists’ Journal, vol. viii, p. 200. (4) Mason, A. G. (1941). ” Further Experiments with Corn-Crakes.” ibid, vol. vii, pp. 321-332. (5) Mason, A. G. (1940). ” On Some Experiments with Corn-Crakes.” ibid, vol. vii, pp. 226-237. THE FLIGHTS OF THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. BY J. H. Owen, M.A. The swoop, to catch prey, is of course the flight best known to most people who know the Red-backed Shrike {Lanius-collurio). This flight generally ends by a complete right-about turn to the point of departure. At other times the bird (cock), after the catch, goes straight to the. nest, to the female, or to the larder. Sometimes the catch is made on the ground and the bird pauses before returning to a perch. This sort of thing is regular after the shrikes have settled down in a territory. The swoop may also be seen made by a wander- ing bird that has not yet found a mate, or by a young bird that has left the nest about a week. Anyone who has not seen the shrike in action can get a mild idea of the motion by watching a Spotted Flycatcher {Muscicapa striata) catching insects. These flights are usually under 30 yards length from the perch. It is possible to see much longer flights when a male is searching for a mate. The bird then flies from point to point in a fast straight- forward flight. It usually calls a loud “ chah ” at each perch between flights. Occasionally it will also utter the note on the wing. It is extraordinary at what rate a bird will cover country when seeking a mate. On one occasion I was cycling on a straight road when 1 heard a bird call from the top of a tree, (juite a distance from the road, on my right. I immediately stopped and soon saw him on top of a maple tree. Me paused only a very short time and then VOL. xLiv.] FLIGHTS OF THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 167 flew over me to the top of a tree 120 yards, or more, the other side ot the road and called again. A short stay and he moved further away and I proceeded, hearing him call once or twice in the distance. I have been able to hear this call as far as 600 yards away. I had gone something like a quarter-mile and I heard him again and saw hirn m a tree not far from the roadside on my left. He crossed the road and I saw him no more that day, or later, so he failed to find a mate round there. GeneraUy the perch, in these cases, is on top of a tree, but I have known telegraph wires and bushes used ; also, more recently, power wires. It has been my good fortune to see two cocks seeking a mate in the same area togethermore than once. There is much more “ chahing ” then, and some quite extraordinary flying. One day two birds I was watching perched on a great cherry tree near me. Then one took a night across a valley to a point about a quarter-mile away and returned to the cherry tree. This flight was quite high above the p-ound all the way. It was never less than 60 ft., and must some- traes have reached 150 ft. The flight could not be called undulating, ^though it moved up and down, swinging to left and right in turn It was also a silent flight. ® \ n^n^hy found three or more pairs. Later, when these had settled m their territories I heard other cocks trying to find mates there It is very curious that if two or three pairs are nesting pretty close to one another the cocks will go visiting. On one occasion, before I was properly aware of this habit, I had three n O'"® I lieard a tremendous up to find out what was doing. The three birds were perched at the comers of a triangle, two on the power wires and one on a tree of sides roughly 30 yards. I thought I was in luck and had got on to watched them for the best part of half-an-hour thi confab ended and they dispersed. I then found out that they belonged to the pairs I was watching. When one cock visits anomer he seems very welcome and they bawl “ chah ” at one another frequently and vigorously. The visitor may perch 0^ tot of any bush, even quite close to the nest. It seems to be an unwrit- ten law, however, that he must keep in sight and must not hunt less a bush. Either of these infringements will nng the home bird at him like a flash, and he is driven away to his own territory at once. Yet the next day, or even the same day you may hear them ‘ chahing ” at one another again. ghts. This field was about 30 acres in size and was separated rom a well-bushed gravel pit by a grassy lane. It was a very favourite place for shrikes to nest, either hi the lane hedges or see the cock shrikes literaUy roaming about the field, slantmg up, down, and swinging left-right and a mg tloo-ee from time to time—a very pretty note rather like 168 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. that of a Golden Plover {Pluvialis apricaria) on its travels. These flights always reminded me of the love flights of the Redshank {Tringa tetanus). I only saw this type of flight in Essex, but a similar flight would be quite impossible to see where I have watched the shrike on the Shropshire border ; this district, or rather the parts the shrikes frequented, is far too much bushed and treed. I have watched the shrike fly at potential enemies, like the Black- bird {Tuydus mevula) and Song-Thrush (T. eyicstoyum), or real enemies like the Kestrel [Falco tinnunculus) , Magpie {Pica pica) and Jay {Gayyulus glandayius). He always looked as if he was aware of their superior powers and discreetly kept at least a couple of yards away when he flew towards them and somewhat behind them. The shrike s greatest and most feared enemy is the Sparrow-Hawk {Accipitey nisus). He makes no bones about getting as deep as possible into cover the instant he is aware of this enemy in the vicinity. The Little Owl {Athene noctua) is probably the next worst enemy, but I have never seen the reaction to this bird. The temperament of the individual shrikes varies a great deal. Some are amazingly bold and some just as timid. Probably more shrikes desert their nests, and for very trivial causes, than birds of any other species. Yet the brave ones are brave. I have had at least two hens that attacked my mirror when I put it over their nest. One cock would fly at anyone who went near the nest bush. He always came from behind and whizzed past the head within an inch or two. Sometimes he actually touched my neck. If I wanted him to demonstrate I usually let him fly at me. I was scared when a lady asked to go, as I was afraid he might get entangled with her hair. He would chack ” and tail-flirt as soon as he saw me. As I went towards the nest he would get very excited and precede me, moving from perch to perch. He uttered a great variety of notes : “ chah,” “chaype,” " chack,” ‘‘ chuck,” ” chick,” ” chir-ir- ir,” ” chir-ic.” He would flirt his tail, switch his tail up and down, and bow ; this bow was most comical, undignified and hurried. Later the ” chir-ir-ir ” note was the favourite and used more than the others. Then as I went to the nest he would fly at my neck, always passing within a foot of me and occasionally actually touching me. This was in 1945- July 24th I asked two ” Tommies,” who were strolling by, if they would like to see an unusual bird act. The shrike and I went through the whole act for them and they were tremendously impressed. They thought that the bird actually hit me and were quite disappointed when I said he had only brushed my neck. Similar behaviour has been reported {antea, vol. xlii, p. 292) of a bird in Hampshire. These big flights, or anything like them, were seldom seen executed by a hen. Occasionally one might see a long flight by the hen, but in my experience they were rare. I have a description (July 28th, 1945) of one that might be of interest. She let me get within 30 yards of her. The wind, fairly strong, was N. of W. She started VOL. xLiv.] FLIGHTS OF THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 169 off S.W then swung round E., rising to 60-70 ft. She then dropped back about 150 yards behind me, coming round again to pitch finally about 90 yards away in a line with me and her first position. when one is watching the cock bird catch insects (chiefly humble-bees, dor-beetles and May bugs) flying high that one sees the most delightful flying. The ascent may be from any- thing between a low bush and a great tree. The insect may be, for these flights, at a height of 60 ft., or more. The ascent of the shrike may e elical, like a Sky-Lark {Alauda arvensis) rising, or like the dancing upward flight of a Whitethroat {Sylvia communis). It should be clear therefore that it is not vertical, although it may be very steep ; it is usually somewhat laboured. Normally the insect IS caught at the top of the ascent. Sometimes it is caught by chasing m£ed ® ItTiffi Sometimes, of course, it if missed It IS the descents that are so enthralling. I have seen a his plumage, fold his wings, beak downwards and beak to tip of tail a straight line, come absolutely vertically do^wards. It looks as if he must crash, when he openf h^is wmgs and makes a lovely turn and glide upwards to a perch. 11s IS not a common flight in my experience, but to see a good example even once is something to remember for ever. The colours of the bird in the sun— for these flights and chases are nearly always in the sun-are most lovely. A mifch more common return to earth is by what I can only describe as the “ falling leaf ” descent. Many sportsmen have seen a quite heavy bird float to earth with outspread wings. This will give a fair notion of the descent but it IS even .more like a leaf fluttering down in November. Here the recovery is very much like what happens in the vertical drop but to start. Other descents are at an inclination to the vertical and may be straight to a perch. They are often quite Kf be compared with the other two methods of descent for artistry. I have seen hens chase insects into the air like this but by no means often, and never above 50 ft. as far as I can “g d-P - the The shrike, like the Sparrow-Hawk, uses the element of surprise to catch a bird or small mammal. The birds caught, other than those taken from a nest, are almost invariably juveniles Thev are ^ carried, after being killed, at leg’s length exaily as the Sparrow! Hawk carries Its prey. I have watched the shrike chase many species of adult birds, but it always looks as if the shrike knew it had little chaime of a capture. Some of these chases are, however very ^ shrike made three or four dashes at a cock K®dstart (Phasmcurus phcenicurus), who inyariably hurried into the protection of the nearest bush, was really worth watching These notes are mostly from obseryations on the Shropshire Border, with others from Essex. They are not meant to be compre! hensiye, as I haye only seen between 300 and 400 pairs. As the 170 BRITISH BIRDS [VOL, XLIV. shrike has now completely disappeared from the Shropshire Border, where my brothers and I have known it since i88i, and, I fear, from many other old haunts, they may be of interest to people less lucky than myself. INLAND PASSAGE OF BLACK TERNS IN THE SPRING OF 1950. BY Ivan M. Goodbody. The following report on the inland passage of Black Terns {Chlidonias niger) in the spring of 1950 is based partly on information sent in as a result of an appeal in British Birds {antea vol. xliii, p. 179) and partly on records from the British Trust for Ornithology Wader and Tern Migration Enquiry organised by R. A. Hinde and J. G. Harrison, the full results of which will be published separately. Reports on inland passage of Black Terns in previous years have been published in British Birds {antea vol. xl, pp. 24-26, 93 and 378 ; vol. xlii, pp. 113-117 ; vol. xliii, pp. 177,-179). The records for 1950 may be divided into five parts: (i) The first birds were a party of five seen at Peterborough sewage farm on April 30th. No birds were seen between this date and May 9th. (ii) The majority of birds were recorded between May 9th and 27th during which period some birds were seen every day except on May 26th. Within this period the main passage appears to have taken place between May loth and 21st, but as the greatest number of birds seen on any one day was at a week end, 504 on Sunday the 14th, it is not possible to state exactly when the peak was reached. Large numbers were also seen on May 13th (344), May 15th (210), May i6th (260) and May 17th (168). Date ; May 9 lo Area A No. of flocks 1 3 No. of birds i 7 Aiea B No. of flocks I 3 No. of birds i 13 II 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 I 4 23 20 5 13 4 3 2 7 237 100 19 62 19 II 5 7 14 27 15 12 13 10 17 58 107 , 404 191 198 149 109 19 ao ZI 32 33 24 25 2 o I I I I I 2011311 2661101 2 II 28 I 2 O 1 TABLE I. NUMBER OF FLOCKS AND NUMBER OF BIRDS SEEN DURING THE PERIOD OF THE MAIN PASSAGE In order to provide a comparison with the 1948 passage {antea vol. xlii, p. 113) when exceptionally large numbers were also seen. Table i has been prepared to show the number of flocks of Black Terns and the number of individuals seen for each day during the main miration period. As in the 1948 report these records have been divided into two groups. Area A and Area B. Area A includes all birds seen in Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, VOL. XLiv.] INLAND PASSAGE OF BLACK TERNS. 171 Northamptonshire and counties north and west of these ; Area B includes all counties south and east of these. In the 1948 report it was shown that the peak in Area A preceded the peak in Area B by about three days. No such difference can be detected in the 1950 data, the apparent peaks for both areas coming on the week-end of May I3th/i4th, although large numbers continued to be seen in Area B after they had dropped in Area A. However, comparisons of this sort can be of little real value unless one knows the relative intensity of bird watching in the two areas throughout the period under discussion. (iii) Nine birds in four parties were seen in the period June ist to 3rd inclusive. (iv) Eighteen birds in seven parties were seen in the period June 9th to 15th inclusive. (v) Two late birds were recorded at Ardgour, N. Argyll, on June 20th, flying south west down L. Linnhe in a storm of south west wind and rain. This is apparently the first record of Black Terns having been seen in N. Argyll. A single bird was seen at Barn Elms Reservoir, Surrey, on June 29th. A single bird in full breeding plumage was seen at Minsmere from June 28th to July 2nd ; two were present on July 3rd. The largest flocks recorded were at Staines reservoirs, Middlesex on May i6th (121) and May 17th (109). The direction of flight of parties of birds was recorded in 12 instances as follows: County Date Direction Suffolk May 1 6th E. June iith N.E. Norfolk May loth N.E. May 14th N. June iith E. June 15th E. Huntingdonshire May 12th N.E. Cambridgeshire May loth N.E. May nth N.E. Leicestershire May 14 th E. Glamorgan May 14th N.E. Cornwall May 1 2th and 1 3th W. Argyll June 20th s.w. The detailed records are summarized below ; we are indebted to all those who sent in records, and to Mr. R. A. Hinde for a summary of the records sent to him. Cornwall. — 3 miles off Newquay, 4 flying west with Arctic Terns on May 12th and 13th (Cornwall Bird W atching and Preservation Societv zoth Annual Report, p. 34.) Devon.— Braunton Marshes, 3 on May 14th (Mrs. D. Wilson). Somerset. — Durleigh Res., 5 on May 13th ; Cheddar Res., 46 on May 13th • Blagdon Res., c. 70 on May 13th. (E. G. Richards, M. J. Wotton.) Hampshire. — Winnal, nr. Winchester, 40 to 50 on May 14th ; lif miles N. of Ringwood, c. 20 on May 14th ; Titchfield Haven, one on June gth fD G Pumfrett, Dr, C. Suflern, W- J. Thomas.) \ ■ 172 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Sussex.— Langney Pt., 3 on May 14th ; Piddiiighoe, 6 on May 14th, 14 on May - 15th; Rye Harbour, Gravel Pits, one on May 13th, 4 on May 17th, 5 on May i8th, one on May 25th, one on June 8th; Thorney, one on May 21st and 22nd. (L. P. Alder, D. D. Harber, J. D. Mills, R. Orpin, J. Shepperd, D. S. Withers.) Kent. North Kent Marshes, 14 on May 14th, one on May 27th ; Foot's Cray Gravel Pit, c. 20 on May 21st. (E. H. Gillham, J. F. W. Holloway.) Surrey.— Richmond Park, 2 on May 12th ; Gatton Park, 4 on May 14th, one on May 15th ; Frensham, 3 on May 12th, 30 on May 13th, 16 on May 14th, 16 on May 15th, 2 on May X7th, 3 on May i8th ; Barn Elms Res., 2 on May nth, 14 on May 12th, one on May 13th, 17 on May 14th, 21 on May 15th, 5 on May i6th, 2 on May 17th, 19 on May i8th, one on June 29th. (G. L. Ackers, Miss C. M. Acland, Miss P. Bond, Miss M. Curtis, E. W. Flaxman- R. W. Hayman, G. C. Low, T. H. L. Mills, E. M. Nicholson, D. E. Pomroy,’ G. L. Scott, W. G. Teagle, A. G. G. Thompson.) Essex. Ham river Gravel Pits, one on May nth ; Chelmsford, one on May 13th. (M. Cooper, G. A. Pyman.) Hertfordshire. — Tring Res., 23 on May 13th, 12 on May 14th, 41 on May 15th, 3 on June ist, one on June 9th. (W. H. Dadv, H. J. Evans, R. S. R.' Fitter, J. N. Hobbs, F. H. Jones, K. A. Landon, M. G.' Ridpath, Prof. E. H. Warmington.) Middlesex. Staines Res., up to 10 on May 13th, 47 on May 14th, 121 on May i6th, 109 on May 17th ; Brent Res., 3 on May 12th, 12 on May 14th, 7 on May 17th , Ruislip Res., 6 on May 14th ; Hendon Res., 7 on May 15th, 16 on May i6th, 7 on May 17th; Poyle Gravel Pits, 5 on May 14th ; Shepper- ton, one on May i6th, 3 on May 17th, one on May i8th. (H. A. Bilby, E. L. Crouch, W. H. Dady, K. V. Elphinstone, J. Field, D. V. Freshwater, A. Gibbs. E. E. Green, R. S. Hatch, C. Hughes, R. E. Jones, W. D. Melluish, W. N. Mitchell, G. W. Moore, Elizabeth Norris, E. C. Ormerod, J. E. Rednall, B. A, Richards, P. F. C. Rumsey, G. L. Scott, C. M. Veysey, Prof. E. H. Warmington’ W. H. D. Wince.) ’ Berkshire.— Ham sewage farm, one on May 13th, 22 on- May 14th; Great Meadow Pond, Windsor, 30 on May 14th, 4 on May 15th ; Bourne End! ^ 8 on May 14th ; Theale Gravel Pits, 25 on May 14th, 9 on May 15th • Burghfield Gravel Pits, one on May nth, one on May 13th, 13 on Mav 14th! 49 on May 13th, 4 on May 16th, 3 on Mav 17th, 3 on Mav i8th. '(P. R.’ Ardley, H. A. Bilby, J. P. Darys, J. Field, E. E. Green, S.R' South, C. m! Veysey, Reading Ornithological Club.) Oxfordshire. — Dunsden Gravel Pit, c. 8 on May 14th, 2 on .Mav i6thand i7;h {per Reading Ornithological Club.) Buckinghamshire. — Weston Turville Res., 5 on May 13th, 26 on May 14th • Stowe, one on June 3rd. (H. J. Evans, F. H. Jones, R. Williams.) Monmouthshire. — Yn-ys-y-fro Res., 7 on May 13th (W. J. Edmonds). Glamorganshire. — Llanishen Res., Cardiff, one on May 14th (G C S Ingram.) \ ■ Breconshire. — Llangorse Lake, 26 on May i6/i7th. (W. J. Edmonds) Norfolk.— Rockland Broad, 5 on May 13th, 30 on May i8th, 2 on May 20th ; Horsey Mere, one on May 19th, 2 on May 23rd ; Hoveton Gt Broad 2 on May 21st ; Breydon, 6 on May loth, 2 on May 14th ; Cley Marsh, 3 on May 2ist ; Scolt Head, “ considerable numbers ” in mid-May, 2 on June 13th ■ Ranworth Broad, 2 on May 14th ; Hickling Broad, 23 on May 12th, 6 or 7 on June 12th ; Taverham Mill, 6 on May 13th, 5 on May 15th, 4 on May i6th, 7 on May 17th, 2 on May 20th, one on May 21st, 3 on June nth, one on June 15th. (C. Chesney, G. Creos, E. A. Ellis, G. A. Hebditch, P D Kirbv L. W. Lloyd, R. G. Pettitt, M. J. Seago.) Suffolk. — Buss Creek, Southwold, 8 on May i6th ; Reedland Marshes, Vvalberswick, one on May i6th ; Westwood Marshes, Walberswick, 6 on May loth ; Orford, 4 ori June nth; Minsmere. 1400 May 13th, 5 on May i8th, 2 on May 20th, a bird in full breeding plumage from June 28th to July 2nd’ 2 on July 3rd; Havergate, one on May 13th, 3 on May. 14th, 14 on May 16th.’ VOL. XLiv.j INLAND PASSAGE OF BLACK TERNS. 173 one on May 17th, 8 on May i8th, one on May 19th, one on May 20th fP D Kirby, A. E. Vine, R.S.P.B.) j' • i ■ Cambridgeshire.— Welney Washes, 4 on May loth, ii on May nth • Cambridge 10 on May 12th, 5 on May 13th, 2 on May 14th, 20 on May 15th! 8 on May i6th, 2 on May 17th, 6 on May i8th, 2 on May 20th ; Peterborough sewage farm 5 on April 30th, one on May 9th, 3 on May loth, 2 on May nth 4 on May 13th, 29 on May 14th, one on May 15th, 10 on May i6th, 2 on May Club” ^ ^ vSe ^ 20th, one on May 21st. (Cambridge Bird Huntingdonshire. — Little Paxton, 3 on May 12th. (C. F. Tebbutt) Northamptonshire.— Uppingham, 6 on May 14th ; Hollowell Res., 10 on May 13th; Ecton, 3 onMay i6th ; Rushden, 2 on May 14th ; Blatherwvcke 4 on June ist ; Oundle, 4 on May 13th, 6 on May 14th, 2 on May 15th, 5 on May °° May 1 8th ; Northampton, 6 on May 14th, 5 on May 15th, 3 on May i6th, 4 on May i8th, one on June 2nd. (M. J. Ardlev A R Brooks B. B. Brooks R. E. Burton, B. W. H. Coulson, i:" A. SbopaVch A. dall! L.’ s! Taylor?’ A.'^J.^B.^Thom^pso^ 5 17 on May 13th; Cuttle Res., 5 on May : w D d" 10 on May 14th ; Chesterton, 20 on May Mav’T,^^^ ' 0^0 on May 14th; Bodymoor Heath, 6 ol ; Alvecote, one on May 13th, 14th and A ^j' RiSia^dst'^'^^^^’ M- Forster, R. W. M. Lee, J^ Lord. C ^amboum^f ’ ‘^Mley, 3 on May 13th. (G. ; Stanford Res., 15 on May RotertsY^ C^^ofield, A. Marshi E. Z Nottinghamshire.— Trent Lane Swamp, Nottingham, one on May loth 2 on May. 14th; Netherfield Grayel Pond, 2 on May nth; Trent Bridge Nottingham 2 on May 15th; 6 miles S.W. of Newark, one on May 14th (S. Allison, L. A. Browne, S. Dayis, A. D. Forster, K. Mann ) ^ ^ KatE O" May a.sl/aand Cheshire. Rostherne, one on May 13th, 7 on May 14th ; Marbury near Northwick, one on May 13th, 2 on May i6th, one on May i8th- Witton Flashes, 4 on May i6th ; Hatchmere, 4 on May 14th; Little Budworth E. R mitMey.f Sumerfiefd Anglesey. — Malltraeth, 4 on May 13th (per N. W Cusa) on M^y iX Flash Leigh, 3 on May loth. one on May nth, 2 ^^y ^5th, 4 on May i6th, one on May igth • ^igh, one on May 9th, 3 on May loth, one on May 12th, 8 on May 13th 2 on May 14th, 5 on May 15th, 4 on May i6th, one on May 19th ; Astley ’16 Ma^^rUL A ^ ^^y 22nd ; Wilton ^4 on May i6th. ( A . W Boyd, T. Edmondson, N. Harwood, F. R Ho?^oc£ A. R, Sumerfield, E. F. Whiteley.) norrocKs, 3 Swillington, one on May 12th, 20 on May 13th, 2 on May 17th 3 on May 23rd, one on May 24th, one on May 25th. (K. Bro;4T ’ Argyll.^ Ardgour, 2 on June 20th. (Rev. E. T. Vernon). (174) NOTES. UNUSUAL CALL OF RAVEN. On April 8th, 1950, we inspected the nest of a Raven {Corvus corax). containing three eggs, situated high in the Plym Valley, Dartmoor, After we had withdrawn both Ravens flew around in the vicinity, but one, easily distinguishable by a number of missing wing feathers, kept much nearer the nest than the other. After we had been about five minutes in our new position, the nearer bird flew slowly towards us against the strong wind and when at its nearest glided momentarily and, when nearly stationary, quivered its wings uttering at the same time a note we had never heard before, best rendered as “ tch-reep.” This call was uttered twice and the unusual, quick wing-beats appeared to be perfectly synchronized with the phrases of the call. After this display the Raven circled off down wind to repeat the whole performance about ten times. On our withdrawing further, this bird quickly flew on to the nest (and was, therefore, presumably the female). It was, however, soon disturbed by a group of hikers and it immediately behaved in exactly the same way as described above, with its actions directed towards the new intruders. The call was quite unlike any of the normal raucous notes of the Raven, being more akin to that of a small passerine, though we recognised no similarity between it and the call of any other bird. Compared with the usual powerful notes of this species, this note was weak, probably not carrying more than one hundred yards. On April 22nd, 1950, D. L. McC. was on Ter Hill, roughty four miles north-east of the nest, when he witnessed an encounter between two pairs of Ravens. One bird of the attacking pair wais heard to utter the “ tch-reep ” note, but not accompanied by aii}^ peculiar wing action. Only the usual “ pruk ” note was heard from the other three Ravens. The Handbook makes no reference to this call nor to the flight display witnessed on the first occasion. David M. Griffin and D. L. McCallum. FEEDING OF JUVENILE GOLDFINCH BY ANOTHER JUVENILE. On August 4th, 1950, at Milford-on-Sea, Hants, I watched at close range a juvenile Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) feeding another juvenile while both were perched on a clump of Scotch thistles. The breast of the feeder was much less spotted than that of the fed, from which 1 gathered that the former was a bird of an earlier brood. Two adults were also present on the thistles, but flew off as I approached, whereas the young bird continued to feed the other and then itself took seeds after the other young one had left. Edwin Cohen. VOL. XLIV.j NOTES. 175 U GOLDCREST in IRELAND. The Handbook (Vol. i. p. 315) states, of the Continental Goldcrest (Regnius r. regulus) no specimens from Ireland identified as this form. Major R. F. Ruttiedge, on his way back from Fair Isle in late autumn, 1949, examined skins of Goldcrests in the collection of the Museum and Art Gallery, Belfast, and identified T f specimen was one of a series which struck the Maidens Lightstation, Co. Antrim, in September, 1915, and was formerly m the collection of Professor C. T. Patten It was sent to Mr. K. Williamson, Director of Fair Isle Bird Observa- tory, who knows the Continental bird well on migration. He conhrmed that this specimen was of the Continental race, as also did James M. Harrison who compared it with an adequate P or f and Continental birds. Col. Meinertzhagen B.O.C., vol. 68, p. 28) has pointed out that the British race entitled to separation • range the Goldcrest is separable from British birds by being paler on the upper parts, with grey wash on the nape and neck andS leos colourful underparts, all of which agrees with the specimen in question, and thus we have the first record of a bird of undisputed Continental origin being obtained in Ireland. C. Douglas dLne. CHIFFCHAFF BATHING ON WET LEAVES. ^ a Chiffchaff {Phvlloscopus collybita) exploring some bushes m my garden at Minehead, SomSeL reached a laurel, the leaves of which were wet with very recent ram. Standing on the flat leaves, it suddenly crouched down and began to go through the motions of bathing. It rubbed its breast along the wet leaves, and flapped the undelside of its wings on them, meanwhile preening itself with its biU. This went on fS about 30 seconds before it disappeared into the bush four feeVo?ab?d-bafh A. V. Cornish FOR SUCCESSIVE BROODS ' On March 21st, 1950, I observed a Robin {Erithacus ruhecula) building m an ivy-covered wall in the village of Norton wLt Suffolk. The first egg was laid on April 4th and the clutch’of five alUheTorng flew. ’'*“=**"'* eventually On May 19th I revisited the nest and was surprised to find that it thi g^een moss I visited 2QrH ?h second clutch was laid on May 23rd, the fifth and last on May 27th ; all five hatched out on Tune only one nestling was left and it, too, had gone 'T? following day— evidently the work of rats. ^ records only one case of the Robin rearing two broods from the same nest. John SL ™ 176 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. [A further record has been supplied by Mr. Douglas F. Lawson from Wallington, Surrey. A nest begun in a nest-box on March loth, 1950, contained five eggs on March 20th, which hatched on April 2nd ; this brood flew on April i6th. On April 28th the female was sitting on eggs in the original nest, to which some repairs had been made. The second brood hatched on May i6th, but the female deserted it on May 24th to start a new nest elsewhere. The male cared for the second brood until they flew on May 28th. — Eds.] UNUSUAL BREEDING-BEHAVIOUR OF HOUSE-MARTINS. In 1950 I came across two instances of unusual nesting behaviour of House-Martins {Ddichon urbica) at Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, Suffolk. The first concerned a pair which nested in a hole in the brickwork below the eaves and above a window. There was no external construction, the birds disappearing completely into the hole when they fed their young. I watched them at work on August 14th. On another house a double nest was built in 1949, but much of it fell away during the winter. On July 25th, 1950, five adults engaged in a noisy scuffle round the site and on the next day all five were bringing mud and laying it with much twittering. A foundation was laid about nine inches long, and this was gradually built up to form one long nest with a single long entrance. By August ist the fifth bird had ceased to take any interest, but two pairs continued to dispute possession for some days. Eventually one pair retained the whole nest and reared a brood. James G. Warner. A FURTHER NOTE ON THE BREEDING HABITS OF THE SWIFT. Notes already published {antea, pp. 47-56) on the breeding habits of the Swift [Apus apus) covered observations made during the years 1944-1949 ; the purpose of this short note is to add some results of observations made in 1950, chiefly concerning the return of ringed birds. The male and female first ringed at site 12 in 1948 returned to the same nest in 1949 and reared two young. In 1949 the male left a fortnight before the female, but in 1950 both were found, also at nest 12, on the same evening when they arrived. They then forsook nest 12 for another nest some distance away, where they laid 3 eggs and reared two young. In 1950 some birds ringed in previous years returned to the nests where they had been ringed, but several returned to different nests. In all, more ringed females returned than ringed males ; some of these females had new mates. Not one of the nestlings ringed in 1949 returned to the tower in 1950. I also wish to record an experiment in which the place of a dead nestling (one of three) was filled by a nestling brought from a distant colony. This nestling was accepted and formed part of the brood VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 177 of three which flew from the nest. A. S. Cutcliffe. [We regret that for technical reasons it was not possible to include above notes in Mr. Cutcliffe’s article in our February issue. — T' the GURGLING TRILL OF THE TAWNY OWL. The Handbook (vol. n, p. 339) records that the Tawny Owl [Strix duco) has a soft, tremulous, gurgling trill chiefly confined to the breeding season, but described by Stadler as commonest in autumn and vanter on the Continent." Henry Boase describes {antea, VO . xliii, P-86) a tremulous, little-used 000-000-000-000-000-000 (00 with a bubble in it)". This last is a good description. During February and March, 1950, this note was used by a pair of Tawny Ow s occupying a well-wooded garden area in Southamp- February 7th and on five other nights until the end of March, the writer usuily being awakened by the peculiar insistence of the note. ^ occasions the trilling started at any time between ^ ^7th and 22nd it occurred around twi fight time ceasing soon after dark. The nights were usually cool and windless, the notes carrying far on the still air. Apparentlv cnly one bird was responsible for the trill; the other kept up a continuous keewick " alternating with the trills. The duet was usually maintained for five or ten minutes, varying rather in emphasis, and sometimes one bird would drop out leaving the ^ ^ ^ occurred at 10 or 12 seconds intervals but often the rate would be rapidly increased leaving intervals of aproximately 4 seconds. No direct observations were posLle V/ calling " keewick " seemed to be moving^ about X bird always seemed to be stationary. ^ rvAc 17th and 22nd the callings started at 19.00 and it was possible to see something of the birds' movements On elcfi awav a ® 11°” ‘’‘■''I ” » "“mAo yards rail would fly to another tree and riahrb^AT®''''"'^l^^°^^ The second bird would join it either right beside it or on a branch near by, and excited shrill calHnt anH calliig^cease."' ^ minutes the birds would separate and fo/^Mc”^® that the use of the trilling note in duet was quite usual breeXg A <; behaviour of SPOONmll and then perform a peculiar vertical dive. It seemed 178 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. to drop with neck extended, twisting violently about its axis for a considerable distance. It would then flatten out and perhaps drop again in a similar manner, head first, twisting violently. Finally it would return to the pool in which it had first been seen. On the last occasion, after much circling, it flew steadily up the coast in an easterly direction. The Handbook mentions that the Spoonbill “ will soar to considerable elevations like the Stork”, but does not mention any dive, and we have not been able to discover a record of such behaviour. Barry Goater and John H. Crook. IMPORTANCE OF BATHING IN THE DISPLAY OF THE MALLARD. There seems to be no mention in The Handbook of the connexion between bathing and display in the Mallard {Anas platyrhyncha). On some three separate occasions I have observed display in which exaggerated bathing has been involved as an integral part. All were observed under suitable conditions .on Ranworth Broad Norfolk. The first was on October gth, 1949. A group of forty birds, half of each sex, had gradually been growing up on the water. Every now and then there was a certain amount of nervous tension resulting from quarrels between the males. It was marked by bickering calls and frequent displays by the males of the type described in The Handbook (vol. iii, p. 233) as (2) and (3). On two occasions the apparent cause of the nervous anxiety was observed during one of these noisy periods. Two males were seen side by side, facing the same way, bickering, their bodies quivering and moving up and down. This continued for a short time until one grabbed at the bill of the other, and the latter fluttered away over the water, the aggressor pursuing closely. They separated, and immediately and simultaneously began to bathe in an exaggerated and speedy fashion. On the second occasion the centre of the bickering was seen to be a group of two males and a female just separate from the main flock. The males were in the same position as before. One grabbed at the other’s bill and succeeded in seizing the tip of its wing. The seized bird shot off with the aggressor still pulling on its wing. After some few seconds they separated and both immediately bathed. The female then met the bird which had been attacked and swam awa}^ with him. On January 22nd, 1950, bathing was observed in a different phase of display. A pair were observed together on the water and another pair approached them very deliberately. The original pair went to meet the newcomers and all came together. The females moved aside about a yard and left the males together. One male immediately began to bathe, half submerging in an exaggerated way. The second immediately followed. Both bathed for about two seconds, stopped together and joined their respective females. On January 29th, 1950, a similar group to that on October 9th, VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 179 1949, collected, including ten males and ten females. Throughout the time there were periods of minor excitement when the males displayed though not to any particular female, but rather seemed to be expressing a vague excitement in the flock. During one of these periods a male broke into an exaggerated form of bathing for a second or so. ^ q Pettitt SOOTY SHEARWATER IN BARENTS SEA. On August iith, 1950, 25 miles due west of Bear Island, in 74 40 H. i9°W., a Sooty Shearwater {Puffiinus eriseus) was seen among a large flock of Fulmars (Fulmar^ glacialh) which were feeding on discarded fish remains. The Fulmars would not tolerate the shearwater near them and made frequent lunges at it. On one occasion it dived and swam under water for a short distance. It tol^yed the ship for two hours before disappearing. This appears to be the furthest north that this species has been recorded m the Northern Hemisphere. In the Pacific it reaches the Aleutian Islands and the coast of Alaska, and in the Atlantic it has m Labrador, South Greenland Iceland and Norway. Taking the islands near Cape Horn to be the nearest Atlantic breeding station, the shortest sea route to Bear Island is approximately 9,500 miles, probably the longest recorded S^irtlf ^ migratory bird away from its nearest possible place Eric Duffey. 'r X n .^^^eeding habits of GREENSHANK (tLI description of a feeding habit of the Greenshank {Thy nebulana) 15 compiled from field-notes over the period ''949-February, 1950, made at Adabiya on the Gulf of Suez, the behaviour being observed m at least two individuals on several occasions. The wader would run quite fast with high steps changes in direction atl sha^p fh I ’ ^ head well up and the bill slightly declined. During his erratic run no feeding actions were performed, but afterwards normal feeding would take place, the Green- h invariably, covering the area over which It had previously run. A very similar feeding process was also employed by a Reef Heron (Egretta schistacea) on several occasions, except that this bird often opened its wings, apparently t^o maintain balance during the run. I doubt if these hkds were held up during the initial run. It seems more likely that the behaviour served the pwpos® of disturbing organisms from the sandy bottom, these being later taken as they swam or floated in the water. rTEic • •, bi. L. Simmons. behaviour may be compared with that recorded (aniea ol. xxxvi, p. 181) m Green Sandpipers. — Eds.] STONE-CURLEW EATING EGGS. IHE following incident which has recently been brought to my 180 BRITISH BIRDS. [vOL. XLIV. notice seems to be of interest. A tractor-driver, whilst cutting a field of hay on the Berks-Hants border, unfortunately uncovered the nest of a Pheasant {Phasianus colchicus) and left it exposed. Shortly afterwards a Carrion Crow {Corvus corone) flew over the field and spotted the nest. It at once alighted and started to eat the remaining eggs until a Stone-Curlew {Burhmus oedicnemus), which had nested fairly close by, flew over the hedge, drove the crow from the Pheasant’s nest and started to eat the eggs itself. It carried one, or part of one, away in its bill. The Handbook has no record of this species eating eggs. George Brown. A CASE OF HERRING-GULLS LEARNING BY EXPERIENCE TO FEED AFTER EXPLOSIONS OF MINES. In August, 1947, I spent a week on the beach at Oostkapelle in the island of Walcheren. Almost daily a detachment of the Royal Dutch Navy was exploding mines off the coast there. When a mine had exploded, large numbers of gulls, most of them apparently Herring-Gulls {Lams argentatus), came from all directions to the scene of the explosion to feed on the dead fish. After some time they disappeared to return again when another explosion took place. A similar case is mentioned by von Berlepsch (Journ. f. Ornith., 58, p. 98). The Ivory-Gull {PagopMla ehurnea) in northern Norway is in the habit of coming to look for blood and remains of seals when a shot has been fired. Mr. Kollibay {l.c., p. 99) states that during snipe shooting in Hungary he often saw Hen-Harriers {Circus cyaneus) trying to steal the quarry before the shooters had reached it. D. A. Vleugel. Wood-Lark breeding in Middlesex. — Major G. K. McCulloch has sent a detailed report of the breeding of a pair of Wood-Larks {Lullula arborea) at a locality in Middlesex in 1950. In July a party of eight birds was seen, six being juveniles, probably of two broods. Other recent records of Wood-Larks breeding in Middlesex are given in The London Bird Report (1948, p. 8 ; 1949, p. 12), and it is clear that this is another area where the species is extending its range, as in Essex {antea, vol. xl, p. 275) and Yorkshire {antea, p. 19). Wood-Lark nesting in Growing Corn. — With reference to the record {antea, vol. xl, p. 116) of Wood-Larks {Lullula arborea) nesting in growing com, Mr. C. F. Brown sends an account of a further case which he noted in West Sussex on June 5th, 1950. The nest, which contained four young, was in a field of young barley about 18 inches high. More suitable and typical terrain was available close to the barley field. Early Sedge-Warbler in Norfolk. — Mr. D. V. Butt has sent a record of a Sedge-Warbler {Acrocephalus schcenohcenus) heard in song at Brandon, Norfolk, on April 5th, 1949. VOL. XLIV.] NOTES. 181 p^276™xrn°T^?f reports {antea, vol. xxxix, Si u lu - °rily brief references to the habit of n-bathmg m the Blackbird {Turdus merula). Mr. Michael C ^ Blackbird Which he watched sun-bathing at Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh, on June gotriq^ and n'? extended its right wing only. Messrs. R. A.^F. G llmor his A History of the Birds of Sussex (vol ii o 22v^ • “ f fit ^ V a‘S2'T«“- Ospreys in Herefordshire and Merionethshire —Dr r w Walker has sent a report of an Osprey (Paniion wL„s) seen ay.KTj,“ »s'r£ "cx-d a S'sSji' sr“3 Wood-Pigeon nesting in old nest of Moorhen —Mr a heflushe^aWwUK^^^^^ It contained two W^ood-Pigeon’s eggs REVIEWS. J' 'Jr'r^oom- (Bnl,, and s!™ Tooo'sq” km^of^Sw 7nlmbitid°bv'a h exceeding lo millions and by an interestino- and^relatr™!^^ population, of which this most valnauE f*^^3-tively well-studied bird a remarkably clear and un to Hiat well-produced handbook gives authn, ,ist» 14 spec“s^“„"dt.n^^^^ Engksh^ nl. donbtlnls and cer,ain4„trod BRITISH BIRDS. l8^ [VOL. XLIV. Swan and Pheasant. Of these some 150 forms nest annually. Since 1900 25 new species have been added, but only four of these (Black Woodpecker, Eider, Common and Lesser Black-backed Gull) have built up any regular and significant strength, the rest being mostly sporadic. A few species, notably the Raven and Golden Plover, have become extinct this century. Population figures or estimates for all Holland are quoted for the Rook (38,090 nests, 1936), White Stork (312 nests, 1939 but only c. 150-160, 1943). Spoonbill (300-I- breeding pairs at present). Common Heron (7,452 nests, 1925), Purple Heron (probably c. 400-500), Cormorant (maximum level 4,622 nests, 1940, against c. 1,200, 1926), Stone-Curlew (down to at most 5-6 breeding pairs, 1948, against c. 30, 1923), Avocet (c. 1,000 birds, 1925, very much more now). Common Gull (c. 250 breeding pairs). Herring Gull (c. 25,000-30,000 breeding pairs, 1938), and Lesser Black-backed Gull (presumably under 50 breeding pairs). The Eider, which first bred in 1906, has now c. 1,000 nests annually. Other interesting figures are given for breeding colonies, including an esti- :mated 150 pairs of Marsh-Harriers on the newly-reclaimed Noordoostpolder .in 1948, a heronry of 1,035 nests (1925), a Purple Heron colony of at least 150 pairs (Naardermeer), a Cormorant colony of 2,247 nests in 1940. later deserted tout since recolonized, a Black Tern colony of c. 400 pairs (1942), a Sandwich Temery of c. 25,000-30,000 nests in 1939, reduced to c. 5,000 by 1941 ; a Common Ternery of c. 19,000 pairs in 1939, reduced to c. 6,000 by 1948, a Little Ternery of c. 600 pairs in 1940, Black-headed Gulleries of up to c. 4.000 pairs (1947), Herring Gulleries of up to 6,000 pairs, a Common Gullery not exceeding 50 pairs and a Lesser Black-backed Gullery of 32 nests (i948)- During the 1947 Quail invasion it was estimated that 500 cocks were calling in one area in which there were about three breeding pahs the previous year. Increases are largely parallel to those noted in this country and include the Rook, Starling, Pied Flycatcher, Mistle-Thrush, Song-Thrush, Blackbird and Black Redstart, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Stock-Dove, and the four gulls mentioned, and decreases are also similar to ours, including the Nightjar, Kingfisher and Common Snipe as well as the White Stork, Stone- Curlew and Corn-crake, and apparently also the Wheatear, Stonechat, and Corn-Bunting. It is surprising to find so many marsh or water birds such as the Kingfisher, Spotted, Little and Baillon’s Crakes, and the Teal and Gadwall ;among the uncommon species. Many interesting ecological and habitat points are indicated. Certhia 1 bmchydactyla, the only breeding Tree-Creeper, is noted as very seldom seen in ; beeches ; the Robin as still only locally in gardens and orchards, the Great | Reed-Warbler as needing both taller and thicker reedbeds than the Reed- 1 Warbler which it frequently outnumbers in Holland, and the Sheld-Duck as j mow breeding commonly on fresh water and also inland. j For an ornithological visit to Holland this is an essential guide, and it has i also a wider interest for purposes of comparison. There is a somewhat sketchy 1 summary of Nature Reserves and a map showing some of these and the various provinces, but not much else. There are some interesting illustrations, but the binding seems needlessly stout and heavy for a guide which deserves to be so much carried about. E.M.N. •Gronlands Fugle. Part I. By Finn Salomonsen. Illustrated by Gitz- Johansen. (Munksgaard, Copenhagen, 1950. 66/-). Greenland stretches about as far from north to south as between Cape Wrath and Gibraltar, but its birds are virtually confined to a relatively narrow fringe round the great icecap. Until quite recently information about them has not been adequate to provide comprehensive and reliable material for a general picture. It is therefore most fortunate that an ornithologist of the 1 calibre and local knowledge of Dr. Salomonsen has now been enabled to begin : a major work on Greenland Birds of which this forms the first volume, and we 1 must be grateful for the geneious action of the Danish Government in support- ing the publication of so fine a work in parallel Danish and English texts, i -1 VOL. XLIV.j REVIEWS. 183 and to Mr. Gitz- Johansen whose attractive water-colours of the birds gave rise to the project. The fact that ringing has recently proved the Greenland populations of several forms to winter in the British Isles gives the work a special interest for British ornithologists, who have, moreover, long been prominent in investigating Greenland’s ornithology. The work is wisely confined to dealing with breeding birds and regular visitors, which are treated reasonably fully, especially as regards distribution, movements and ecology. This first Part covers divers, petrels, swans," geese, ducks and cormorants. Among geese the six breeding forms are curiously distributed. The Brent, the northernmost of the world’s breeding birds, nests regularly along the whole north coast, some reaching it via the St. Lawrence and overland by Ungava while our own wintering birds seem to arrive across Denmark Strait and then to cross the ice-cap in flocks to the west coast. The Greater Snow-Goose also has small outlying colonies in the Thule district, and Barnacle Geese, whose main winter quarters are in Britain breed only on the east coast north of Scoresby Sound. The Pink-footed Goose, also exclusively an east coast breeder, overlaps, but with a more southerly emphasis ; it also emigrates to Britain. The Greenland White- fronted Goose, on the other hand, is confined to the middle parts of the west coast as a breeding bird and here also there is some evidence of breeding by the Canada Goose. No less than 54 recoveries of Greenland White-fronted Geese are recorded for Ireland, three for Scotland, one for Wales four for Iceland and one for Canada. • Whooper Swan, long since exterminated, probably resumed breeding m a nuld period a hundred years ago, and the author thinks it may do so again, though it is now only an occasional visitor. The Greenland Mallard is remarkable in being resident and for most of the year completely marine, when the fresh waters are ice-bound. The Pintail has sinee 1947 been found breeding locally in West Greenland. The Long- ailed Duck breeds in all suitable areas, but some probably emigrate to America in autumn, while ringing indicates that most of the Iceland breeding stock join the large wintering flocks in S.W. Greenland. The Harlequin Duck is resident m the southern parts. The Eider breeds round most of the coast in colonies some exceeding 10,000 pairs, despite decreases due to excessive killing (in -West Greenland 150,000 are taken annually). The King Eider breeds coinmonly in the north, but the author considers that the vast numbers wintering in S W Greenland probably include most of the population of the anadian E. Aietic as well. Barrow’s Goldeneye probably breeds in some inaccessible j^rt of the Godthaab area, but its nest has never been found in Greenland. Red-breasted Mergansers are resident in the S.W. the east coast birds probably wintering in Britain. Decreases are noted of Cormorants and of Fulmars; the latter are no longer lound in the multitudes described as met with in whaling days early in the 19th century, but are still the commonest sea-birds in summer, and the author, after studying all the West Greenland breeding-places, estimates that they contain over 200,000 pairs. There are others near Thule and in the N.E. wpere the birds are mainly intermediate in colour, whereas in West Greenland' 99 per cent of the breeding birds are light. Intermediate an^ dS Hrds StrSt hLev^r Canada, are numerous in Davis Red-throated Diver is one of the Commonest water birds found n all coasts, the Great Northern Diver is common only in the south and has d^r^dp*” Greenland for the first time in the past couple of llv^nt ’ ^ saying that *' nothing is known of its^ egg- laymg in Greenland, the author overlooks the present reviewer’s record sequ;nRy°’ ^ ^ s^b- The work is excellently produced, but a map would make it much easier to E-M.N. (184) LETTERS. THE LATE B. W. TUCKER. To the Editors 0/ British Birds. Sirs, A serious error has crept into the 'obituary notice of my old friend Bernard Tucker. To quote : “ The memorable Oxford University Expedition to Spitsbergen took place in 1921 not 1922, and Tucker was not one of the members. In 1922 F. C. R. Jourdain was accompanied by Tucker and myself in a private expedition on which I was luckj'^ enough to be able to get some clear photo snaps of two Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis) on their nests on a bad cliff ; Jourdain and Tucker of course assisting with the necessary ropes. This private venture had no connexion with Oxford University, beyond the fact that Jourdain then held a Universitv living near Abingdon, and Tucker was an undergraduate. ' w. M. Congreve, M.ajor. BLUE TITS KILLED IN MOUSE-TRAPS. To the Editors of British Birds. Sirs, — With reference to Mr. Carr’s letter on this subject {antea. vol. xliii, p. 342), I think it should be pointed out that many of these Blue tits (Parus cceruleus) killed in mouse-traps are probably killed deliberately. In this locality, Sunninghill, Berkshire, where I have ringed several hundred tits in the past two years, it was discovered that the owner of an adjoining property was catching many of these birds on account of the damage they did to his flowering shrubs. Many of his victims were ringed birds, and although some of these have been reported to Miss Leach, it is believed there were many more besides. Work is being done on the populations of small mammals in this same locality, for which purpose large numbers of Oxford small mammal traps are laid down. These are provided with bedding, baited with grain, and are designed to catch the animals alive. It is found that whereas mice will remain alive in these for many hours, birds, especially tits, which soon developed the habit of entering these traps, seem to become frightened and often die before they can be released. Every precaution is taken to avoid this sort of accident, but it is inevitable that some birds die, especially if they are caught in a shower of rain and become wetted. I do not consider that the Blue Tit is, in fact, such a valuable garden bird as Mr. Carr suggests, and I am sure that some garden lovers who share this view are not too inclined to protect them, and no doubt have recourse to using mouse-traps. John Ash. [We learn from Lt.-Col. W. M. Logan Home that a number of people wrote to him during the enquiry into paper-tearing to say that they had caught Blue Tits in mouse-traps. In some cases the mouse-traps were set deliberately, and after the tits had been killed the paper-tearing ceased. Miss V. J. Macnair has found that birds can be saved from getting caught in mouse-traps by fitting each trap into a small dark-green box. The box is made to contain a “ nipper ” type mouse-trap and has a shield over the entrance hole. This simple device obviates the necessity of constructing a tunnel each time a trap is re-set in a new situation. — Eds. | -3 SAY 198 A V i,. * r / ! binding BRITISH BIRDS, VOL. XLIII. The publishers take pleasure in announcing that they are now able to undertake the binding of Vol. XLIII and subscribers wh" 4h to avail them Introducing the Bird Ringing Trap This Trap has the advantage of entrances (4 x 6") at either end, with widening passages at the end of which glass is fitted: 39 /6d. If fitted With perspex 5/6d. extra. DUPLEX No. 2, 15x10x8" (entrances 5x7") 52/6d.; perspex 8/6d. extra. “Greenriee” (revised) 92 /6d. Potter No. I, 52 /6d. "" Bird DEPT. II, THE GREENRIGG WORKS, WOODFORD GREEN ESSEX. mocmRB ]oni* T^amI ^ Weal holiday, sportinc events, 42/6. W.D. model, full sizes, £3.10.0. aptxial 6-lens achromatic model, £5.19 $ both complete in case, etc. ,\!1 post i/- Other models. ' ’ PRISMATIC Telescopic Binoculars 32/8 dep. 28/6 monthly. Post, etc., i/- Cash Price £16.19.6 X 4° raapniflcatiou. Ht. 5j in. X 6j in. wide. Wntre screw and adjust- able eyepiece assuring perfect clarity of vision. 1951 model, lightweight. Great distances brought within reach. Colours and numbers easily recognisable. 32/6 deposit balance 28/6 monthly or £18.19.6d. cash, with case and slings. Post, etc., i/-. CAMPING i/6per week. .411 in II.LUSTRATl'D FREE BOOKLET. illustM^ list of tents, camping equip- S t" booklet. If you have for f camping before, all the more need t heathy, carefree holidays. Also t.ooo Binocular Bargains. Terms. Call and see us. ^headquarters Sc. GENERAL SUPPUES, (Dept. BB/1), 196-200 ' Coldharbour Lane. Loughborough Junction, London, S.E.6. The sound-books of bird song by E. M. Nicholson and Ludwig Koch I St Series SONGS OF WILD BIRDS 2nd Series MORE SONGS OF WILD BIRDS Each book has with it its “ won- derfully successful ” gramophone records of British birds singing in their natural haunts. 30/- each. Published by W I T H E R B Y SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS 9/- for 3 lines (minimum) ; 3/- for each extra line or part thereof. For the use of a Box Number there is an extra charge of I/-; Advertisements for a particular issue should reach this office by the 2 1st of the preceding month. All communications to be addressed to: — H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd., 5, Warwick Court, London, W.C. I. WEST WALES. — Our Caravans solve your accommodation difficulties. 2 or 4-berth fully equipped vans placed v^here you like or you tov^. Zodiac Caravans, Cwm-Llan Pontfaen, Nr. Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. Tel. 3102 and 2118. NORTH NORFOLK. — To let furnished May, June, October. House at Cley, six beds, bath, electricity, small garden. Box No. 393, British Birds, 5, Warwick Court, London, W.C.I. BINOCULARS FOR SALE. — Ross 7 x 50. Good condition. Offers to Box No. 394, British Birds, 5, Warwick Court, London, W.C.I. ORNITHOLOGISTS wishing to study the bird-life of North Pembrokeshire should stay at Bancyrhyd Guest-House, Newport, Pern, Four-berth caravan also available by the sea. Terms mod. W. C. Taunton, proprietor. I'rinied in Gt. Britain by The Riverside Press, Ltd., Twickenham, Middx. Published by H. F. & G. WITHERBY, LTD., 6 Warwick Court, W.C. 1. BRITISH BIRDS AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY TO THE BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST BRITISH BIRDS EDITORS. E. M. Nicholson and W. B. Alexander - A. W. Boyd P. A. D. Hollom - N. F. Ticehurst J. D. Wood Contents of Number 6. Vol. XLIV, June, 1951. Distraction-display in the Kentish Plover. By K. E. L. Simmons Birds of the North Atlantic and Newfoundland Banks in Tulv and August, 1950. By T. B. Bagenal Studies of some species rarely photographed. XXX. The Great Reed-Warbler. Photographed by G. R. Mountfort, Walter E. Higham and G. K. Yeates. With a note on the Great Reed-Warbler by G. R. Mountfort ... Notes : — Birds becoming ''caught” in flocks of other species (Kenneth Williamson ; M. J. Rogers ; F. J. Brown ; G. A. and M. A Arnold • F. C. Gribble ; R. W. Robson ; R. A. O. Hickling)... Late nesting in 1950 (The Editors) ’ Apparent hiding by Rooks of pine cones (Keith S. Macgregor and Frank D. Hamilton) Domed nest of Wood-Lark (John Ash)... Great Reed- Warbler in Kent (I. Houston and W. Robinson) Hirundmes following tractor and taking moths (A. Denby Wilkinson) Hoopoes in the British Isles in 1950 (The Editors) ... . Hobby eating Martin in air (D. J. May) ... Incubation by male Hen-Harrier (Flt.-Lt. D. M. Turner-Ettli’nger) " Wigeon breeding in Berkshire (S. R. South and E. E. Green • Mrs V. C. Lawson) ... Wigeon summering in Northamptonshire (M. J. Ardley) Distraction-display of adult and diving of young Little Grebe (Tohii r. Hobbs) Turtle-Dove using buildings as song-perch (L. P. Alder) Nest lining of wading birds (Lt.-Col. J. K. Stanford) Curlew’s nest containing seven eggs (A. Baxter Cooper aiid David Lean) Bigamy of Oj^ster-catcher (W. S. Nevin and N. F. Ticehurst)’ Distraction-display of Common Partridge (T. A. W. Davis) Short Notes : — Snow-Bunting in Warwickshire. House-Sparrow using newly mown grass as nesting material. Grey Wagtail breeding in Kent. Review : — Isle of lhanet Field Club — Annual Reports for 1947, 1948 and 1949... Books Received Letters : — Rare birds’ protection (P. W. Sandenian) Unusual features of the 1931 breeding season (Dr. Bruce Campbeli) PAGE I8I 187 195 197 201 202 202 202 204 204 205 205 206 206 207 208 208 208 20S 209 209 210 211 21 I 2II BRITISH BIRDS Number 6, Vol. XLIV, June, 1951. DISTRACTION-DISPLAY IN THE KENTISH PLOVER BY K. E. L. Simmons. I. Introduction. Plovef^rp""^ r reaction patterns of breeding- Kentish oiitlinS h potential predators has been outlined by Selous (1927), but no detailed description has vet s~ u Plovers w"as studied in the Suez Canal Zone of Eg-ypt in iqtq-co Six nair<5 uf^oorarctbal m"" breeding on the sandy margins of Tsalt to th°s locSkv h^t Several visits were made f 1 constant observations were not possible • there ?Ses throughout "iheir^edrng: cycles, and the development of reactions, could not be effected. Terminology. The question of a general terminology for the type of behaviour under consideration is a difficult one due to varying de-reirof formalization m different species, and the great difliJuTtv of classifying these. In so far as the Charadriidm are concerned two systems of classification are available: that of Armstronl^ (1949) and that of Williamson (1943-50, esp iq^n ai ? deliberation, Williamson’s terminology has been'used inthe n paper, mainly because of its simphcitr Thrireat Armstrong’s review should not be deprechted K.f T f elaboration of terms may result in fh^^r^lt'tubtot'ion'rf Term for an accurate description, with the nosctihlra rU c interpretation and the obscuring- of a reLtion’ Dove tne Pack. (2) At other times, the plover lies Quite siill with the wings stretched out along the ground. Other elements. Direct displacement-activities were not commonly recorded Displacement-feeding, m which the bird makes formal pecks at the tendency to disp acement-brooding. The Little Ringed Plover performs these activities more frequently (personal observation and 11 evidence points to their being low intensity alarm-reactions There is no marked “impeded-flight”, but somedmes a bTrd en^ to fly sloAvly and deliberately. 184 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Selous (1927) has an interesting^ account of a male Kentish Plover performing- its distraction-display before an Oyster-catcher [Hcematopus ostralegus). Eliot Howard’s (1907) record of a bird lying- on the g-round, rapidly flapping- its wing-s and uttering^ a peculiar buzzing- sound (cited by Jourdain 1936), is an incident out- side my experience, while Lowe’s (1934) description of a bird stopping- dead in flight and falling like a stone, seems to be an instance of collapse which certainly should not be included in the repertoire of the species’ distraction-display. Form and nature of the display and factors influencing the performance. The reactions of the Kentish Plover are highly formalized. While neither of the two main display components resembles actual injury, the static lure-display certainly has the appearance of incapacity (Williamson’s “exhausted bird’’ figure), and has obviously been selected along that line. The character of the distraction-display varies according to the type and degree of stimulation, but this aspect was only partially studied in the Kentish Plover. The displaying bird nearly always contrives to “keep an eye’’ on the observer, and the general (tentative) rule would seem to be that the erouch-run and mobile lure-display are employed so long as one follows the bird, but, once the observer stops or moves away in the direction of the chicks, the static figure appears. Conscious direction of the behaviour on the part of the bird is not, of course, implied. In addition, the form of the performances must depend on the stage of the breeding-cycle, and also perhaps on the abruptness of the intrusion, as Willian-ison (1950 b) has shown to be the case in the Faeroe population of the Snipe (Capella gaUinago). At Gebal Maryam, owing to the comparative llatness of the breeding-ground the observer was always well in sight of the VOL. XLiv] DISPLAY IN KENTISH PLOVER 185 birds long" before he was near them. Observations would be interesting" in a habitat where the birds could be surprised ; then behaviour mig"ht be on a hig"her level of intensity. A very marked tendency exists for the displaying bird to move along depressions in the ground and make for ridges from which it peers back at the watcher. At times the static lure-display would be performed partially out of view. Similar use of cover has also been recorded in the Oyster-catcher, Whimbrel (Numenius phcBopus), Golden Plover, and Snipe (Williamson 194-3, 1946, 1948 and 1950 b); Little Ringed Plover (Douglas in litt.) and Killdeer Plover (Deane 1944). Behaviouf of neighbouving biyds. On some occasions when a Kentish Plover was performing its distraction-display, I noticed the presence of one or two birds, from an a joining territory, near the displaying one and calling in records somewhat analogous behaviour in the Ringed Plover when disturbed by a human intruder, the birds however m such circumstances, Armstrong (m htt ) observing this m Iceland. Disregard of territorial bound- ries by alarmed birds has been recorded in other species (vide Venables 1934, and Tinbergen 1939); the inhibition of a^drive when a mme powerful one is operating is well known in bird biology (Vol. iv, p. 361) descHbes the alarm-note of birds as “kittup, kittup, kittup”. During the tual performance of the distraction-display patterns the birds are usually silent but the above alarm-call is c^ommonly 7earrdurin^ he disturbances, the component notes being normafly utS singly. An equally common call also recorded bv me^ f mentioned in T/ie Handbook^ is a disyllabic “too-ee/’ Toft vet very mgner pitched note came from a chick. 3- Transcriptions from field-notes Phe following transcriptions of actual sequences in the field each case unless othenvis^i,:,:! June 18th, 1949. fromt\rG.‘‘R?4!raTcomp11,i?d *ick ran a.vav in the crouch-run, but not disDlavinu Ceory quicvly with an adult following caught and handled, the adult ^dicf not eventually it was seen performing Ae mobile lu^e d 7? ■^5'^^^es later; theJ from us. This display fun culmin^edr^^^^^^ ^'>^vay sequence was repeated Durim^ Hip cp E posture of form (2) and the released, whereupon the adult tprane hft^ the chick was It was interesting to note the vefv f-f:t rh ^ swiftly after it. to another. ^ ® ^"*"t change over from one behaviour form 186 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. July 2nd, 1949. A pair, state of breeding unknown. Both birds crouch-ran away from us (D. J. May accompanied me) and then almost simultaneously began perform- ing the mobile lure-display with wings slightly drooped. These birds tended to pause behind cover and look back at us, but no real static displays were seen. July gth, 1949 (r). A pair, state of breeding unknown. The birds crouch-ran in front of me but, alter about 80 yards had been covered, the female flew back past me to the area from which I had first disturbed the jjair. The male continued on in trout of me and I allowed myself to follow without stopping for a further 70 yards. Then I paused slightly, upon which the plover showed a tendency to perform the mobile lure-display without going into the full posture. .A few minutes later I stopped totally and the elfect on the bird’s reactions was marked: it halted, paused, then turned and ran a few paces towards me before performing the static lure-display with wing action (i). After watching this, I walked forward again and the plover ran on, once showing a tendency to do the mobile lure-display. Finally, it flew back over my head. July gth, 1949 (ii). \ single bird crouch-ran in front of me, finally performing the static lure- display with wing movement (i). A pair from a neighbouring territory was near and calling “too-eet”. July i6th, 1949. A pair with at least two small chicks. I moved about in the general area where I had first seen the young. The adults initially crouch-ran before me independently and then performed the static lure-display at some distance from the chicks. The female, especially, exhibited a strong inclination to displav partially out of sight in a depression, and once “hid” while I passed. This bird also had a tendency to displacement-brood instead of going into the lure-displays, but once performed the mobile posture with the peculiar wing action (3). In flight, the bird sometimes flew slowly with spasmodic wing beats. July 23rd, 1949. Same pair involved as in the incident on July i6th; three chicks located. The adults crouch-run only, with no real attempts at display beyond a slight fanning of the tail once, and a momentary settling down in a depression on the part of the male. April gth, 1950. A pair with very small chicks. The female crouch-ran with one of the chicks following. The latter finally lay perfectly still and was picked up and examined. Upon this the female began to perform the mobile lure-display away from me, with the peculiar alternate wing movement (3). After a while the wing action changed to the more usual (2), and the bird finally lay still in the static posture with wings extended horizontally and motionless. 4. Summary. The distraction-display of the Kentish Plover was studied in Eg'ypt i949"5°- Mobile and static lure-displays with varying wing actions were recorded, as well as some displacement-activities. The form and nature of the behaviour, its relationship to the environment, and the factors influencing the performance are described, and transcriptions from field-notes given. VOL. XLiv.] DISPLAY IN KENTISH PLOVER 187 References. and'^r7^9-i88^' “diversionary display.” Ibis, Vol. 91, pp. 88-97 Deane, C. D. (1944). “The broken-wing behaviour of the Killdeer.” Auk, Vol. 61, pp. 243-247. Howard, H. E. (1907-14). The British Warblers. London O^lTc^I V„,.^i6,’'pp<','’/4V in birds." Lowe, F. A. (1934). Days with Rarer Birds. London. Voh^rppi^ 66-^0. Plover.” Brit. Birds, Londor'"'°'''''^"°''‘^"''''' Handbook of British Birds. Selous, E. (1927). Realities of Bird Life. London. Tinbergen, N. (1936). ‘‘The behaviour of the Snow-Bunting in snrinp ” Trans. Linn. Soc. New York, Vol. 5, pp. 1-94. ® P”"®' Venab^L^L^ ^ Hie Handbook of British Birds. London. Bri,. “‘"■“'"■O 'V'-n-M''-." “The behaviour pattern of the Western Ovster catcher in defence of nests and young.” Ibis Vo\ 8c Uystei- P°p" ^ eeding-bi-ology of the -i«™c.i„„-dispW tf .he Ringed Pi„.er." <■«“). "Interpretation of ‘roden.-run’ display.” m,. ;6>x'voi.“92,"pp^'66i^)°*’^' '<'*"■»«'<>" behaviour of the Freroe Snipe.” Lo"™.'""' Handbook of British Birds, Vol. iv, ATLANTIC AND NEWFOUND- LAND BANKS IN JULY AND AUGUST, 1950 BY T. B. Bagenal. (from the Marine Station, Millport). f „ . Introduction. .950, :brd^htrF°V^ “Tairree--'!,''""® /:!^ Newfoundland Banks Th. n the the Owners Master ;n7 to and help they have criven^'^a^rl” / Fairfree” for the interest Edwards who has read fhL also to Professor V. C. Wynne- The “Fairfree” left Tin P^P^'" and helpfully commented on it. Banks on July 20th he^ """ the Grand tl^en until the n^c^^’t of Wns"' From •^Jit of August 3rd the boat remained around 188 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. 44 26' N. 49° 50' W. ; fishing' for about 2J hours every evening', and laid drifting for the rest of the time. On August 4th course was set for St. John’s which was reached in the early hours of the morning on August 5th. On August 8th the “Fairfree” steamed to approximately 45° 30' N. 49“ 00' W., where fishing was resumed for one day. During the night of August 9th she proceeded south-west to 44“ 19' N. 49° 50' W. The same procedure of fishing and lying-to was continued until August 17th, when the course was set for Glasgow, which was reached on August 25th. 1 he observations were made from the wdng of the bridge, and from the wheel house during bad weather and rain, with the aid of 7 X 30 binoculars. The field of view was therefore less in heavy weather, but on most days observation was through 270 degrees. The purpose of the voyage was not primarily ornithological, but nevertheless there were usually about four hours of observation daily and only twice less than three hours. The watches were arranged to cover as wide a range of the daylight hours as possible. During each watch the birds were divided into two groups; those which were plentiful and round the ship for at least half the watch, and those which appeared irregularly. The former were not counted, but only their presence or absence noted, ■whereas with the latter all the individuals were counted. The birds that were seen on any particular dav are marked thus x in Table I. Observations. It will be seen that the ecological zones of Inshore, Offshore, and Pelagic birds set up by Wynne-Edwards (1935) are clearlv apparent in the table. The Inshore Zone. Observations in this zone, which extends from the shore to four or five miles out to sea, were confined to the Firth of Clyde on the European side. It was characterized by gulls, the Black-headed Gull {Larus ridibtindus), Herring-Gull (L. argentatus), Lesser Black-backed Gull (L. fuscus'j and the Great Black-backed Gull (L. marinus). Wynne-Edwards {loc. cit.) notes that the inhabitants of this zone usually have equal claims to lacustrine and marine habitats. The Shag [Phalacrocorax aristotelis) is a species for which this is not true. The limits of this zone are not very sharply defined. Gannets {Sida bassana) and Manx Shearwaters {Ptiffinus pufjinus) were observed in the inshore and offshore regions. The presence of Gannets is accounted for by the fact that they breed on Ailsa Craig. Unlike Gannets, Manx Shearwaters do not breed in the Clyde sea-area, though they are often seen in the autumn. On the American side, the inshore zone was traversed during the hours of daylight only on the return journey. Herring-Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls and Puffins {Fratercula arciica) were the only birds seen. AUGUST. VOL. XLiv.] BIRDS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC 189 190 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV, The Offshore Zone. As Wynne-Edwards points out the boundaries between the zones are not always well defined, though he does giv'e instances where this is the case. From the table it would seem that the offshore zone — from 5 miles offshore to the 100 fathom line — is a region of overlap between the inshore and pelagic zones. Thus on July 1 2th when the offshore zone was being crossed on the out- ward journey, Herring- and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen at the same time as Fulmars [Fulmar us glaciaiisj, Kitti wakes [Rissa tridactyla) and Gannets. On the return journey on August 24th a Great Shearwater [Puffinus gravis) was seen 40 miles east of the 100 fathom line. The Fulmars accompanied the boat all day while within sight of land. The distinction between the offshore and pelagic zones broke down completely on the western side of the Atlantic on the Grand Banks. For example Wilson’s Petrels [Oceanites oceanicus), Leach s Fork-tailed Petrels [Oceanodronia leucorrhoa^ and Great Shearwaters were the commonest birds seen and all are typically pelagic species, though The Handbook (Witherby, Ed., 1940) under the Great Shearwater says “Pelagic, but also regular in offshore zone’’. The Arctic Skua [Stercorarius parasiticus) was the only bird that was often seen on the Banks and never seen in the open ocean. The typical offshore birds seen were Puffins and the Gannet seen on August 8th within sight of land. The Pelagic Zone. The birds seen mainly in this region were the Great Skua [Stercorarius skua), the Long-tailed Skua [Stercorarius longicaudus), the Grey Phalarope [Phalaropus fidicarius), the North Atlantic Shearwater [Puffinus kuhlii) and the Sooty Shearwater [Pufjinus griseus), though Fulmars, Wilson’s Petrels, Leach s Fork-tailed Petrels and Great Shearwaters were all more numerous. Systematic List. Gannet [Sula hassana). On the outward journey, Gannets were seen in the inshore and offshore zones only. By the end of August the dispersal from the breeding stations was well under way. The Gannets had reached 21° W., about 700 miles into the pelagic zone, and ten were seen before the Continental Shelf was reached. Considering the vast quantities of fish on the Grand Banks, it is surprising that only one Gannet was seen about 40 miles S.E. of St. John’s. The position 44° 20' N. 50° W., where the “Fairfree” and Newfoundland trawlers were fishing is about 240 miles from the nearest breeding colony at Cape St. Mary. In this region there were large quantities of dead fish floating on the surface after being thrown overboard as too small for commereial use. .\lthough outside the range of breeding birds — possibly up to 160 miTes VOL. XLiv.] BIRDS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC 191 (Lockley, in "Witherby, Ed., 1940) — non breeding- Gannets mig-ht have been expected. The observations of Kay (1948) sug-g-est that food IS the chief factor governing- the distribution of Gannets in winter, and this is probably the case with non-breeding birds. Leach s Fork-t.ailed Petrel [Oceanodroma leucorrhoa). The identification of storm petrels presented a little difficulty at first. In all cases when it was not certain which species was being observed, the birds were recorded as “stormy petrels’’ though due to the size, very characteristic flight, and habit of not following IS unhkley that any of the stormy petrel records refer to Hydrobates pelagtcus , Leach s Petrel was first seen at 35° W., and was common from there westwards Cf. an easterly limit of 37° in Rankin and Uuttey (1948). On the return journey these petrels were seen as mr east as 30° W. On the Grand Banks Leach’s Fork-tailed Petrels were very abundant. On some days the sea was covered with them, flitting hither and thither over the waves; on other days no more than four could be seen at once. It is sug-p-ested that large flocks of Leach’s and Wilson’s Petrels covering wide areas were moving about over the Banks. When fishing at night e petrels could be observed at a range of six feet or less. Many bridge^*''^''^ having flown into the rigging and When a trawl is brought up from the sea bed the fish experience decrease m the external pressure and this causes the air bladder to expand, which in turn makes the fish vomit. In many nnrffnll oesophagus are completely everted. The partially digested contents float to the surface. On many occa- s.ons Leach's and Wilson's Petrels were seen pickin/ s3l and It seems almost certain that the petrels were eating the elected stomach contents of the fish. Both Leach's and Wilfon's Petrels would either take the food while “standing” on the water with Wings raised, or else settle with wings folded. WiLSON^s Petrel {Oceanites oceanicus). All the small and dark “stormy petrels’’ following the vessel proved ^ close inspection to be Wilson’s Petrel and not the Storm Petrel {Hydrobates pelagtcus). While on the Banks they could be examined at a range of three or four yards from the sidJand from the tail''" Th '' projecting beyond the end of the tail. This is not an easy character to see; but after a time it Wilon's petrels h of the birds must be generic di.etS ^i^rn OcL;;'i:lLrd ik": 192 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Notes on the feeding of Wilson’s Petrel have been recorded in the above section. Only once was an individual seen “walking” on the water with wings raised above the back and fluttering slightly. The legs were used simultaneously in a sustained series of quick hops. The bird moved about thirty yards against the wind over small waves about i8 inches high. It was not seen to pick anything off the surface. After the bird had been watched for about ten minutes the boat moved away. Both Wilson’s and Leach’s Petrels were seen “pattering” for short periods while picking food off the surface of the water. On several occasions Wilson’s Petrels were seen in rafts of up to 50 birds in company with Great Shearwaters. Great Sueakw ater {Puffinus gravis). The capped appearance of this shearwater is easily distinguished even at a considerable distance, although the extent of the white collar is very variable. Great Shearwaters were seen regularly from July i6th, until August 24th. In July none was seen east of about 32° W. whereas in August on the return journey they were present to within sight of Northern Ireland. On the Grand Banks they were very plentiful indeed, being seen on 22 out of 23 days spent in the area, right up to August 1 6th. This is not in agreement with Rankin and Duffey who say “In late August a few were seen on the Nova Scotian Banks and no more till the Western edge of the Grand Banks was crossed. The bulk of the birds lay between 39° W. to 24° W., a fact confirmed by two transects, no more being seen until north Irish waters were reached”. Neither is it in agreement with Wynne-Edwards who in Fig. 6, p. 254 gives a distribution map for August loth showing Great Shearwaters as very scarce indeed over the southern parts of the Grand Banks. It would seem that Wynne-Edwards is right in saying that “a good deal of variation in range occurs from one year to another, and the exact limits at any particular season can never therefore be exactly defined”. The feeding of the Great Shearwater was observed alongside the boat on several occasions. The birds could be seen clearly, diving after Cod {Gadus caUarias) and Haddock (G. cc.glefinus) refuse and also dead Capelin {Mallotus villosus). Movement underwater was brought about by the wings which were bent in a half open position and made short jerky flaps. The bird progressed in jerk.s but it could not be seen if the legs were used as well as the wings, other than in getting the bird under water. If the legs are used they must kick in time with the wings to produce the jerky move- ment. In all cases the birds were swimming on the surface before diving and no instance was noted of the birds diving from the air. The Handbook (Witherby, 1940) quotes Murphy as saying that during the greater part of the northern summer. Great Shear- VOL. XLiv.] BIRDS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC 193 waters are not particularly gregarious. During July and August they were seen in large rafts (up to 8o birds) on numerous occasions on the Grand Banks. North Atlantic Shearwater {Pujfmus kuhlii). Wynne-Edwards states that “the northern limit” of this species is about the 44th parallel”; and again that “the northern limit of Cory’s in August is almost the same as the southern limit of the Great Shearwater”. The southern limit of the “Fairfree” was about 44° N. and although a large number of shearwaters was examined only two proved to be P. kuhlii. When this species was seen it was recognised immediately. Sooty Shearwater [Puffinus griseus). Seen on four occasions towards the end of the trip. Wynne- Edwards states that fewer were seen in June than in August and September, and they were always more common near the American side”. The observations recorded here, support the first of Wynne-Edwards’ statements, but not the second, though the numbers that were seen are not sufficient to draw any conclusions from, or to support comments on Wynne-Edwards’ remarks that In addition there is some indication that the Sooty Shearwater is proportionally better represented in the offshore zone, i.e., on the fishing banks, and less well in the pelagic, than is the Great Shearwater , though of the seven individuals seen by Rankin and Duffey {loc. cit.), five were in the pelagic zone; and three of the four recorded here were seen in the open ocean. The seven recorded by Philipson (1940) were all pelagic and Nicholson (1946) puts the Sooty Shearwater in his list of pelagic species. Fulmar Petrel (^Fulmarus glacialis'). Fulmars were much more numerous to the east of 35 “W. though there was no clear-cut boundary, and they were seen on 1 1’ ot the 24 days spent on the Nowfoundland Banks, but on most occasions only singly or else in small flocks of up to five birds ihis might be correlated with the fact that there are no breedinir s ations of the Fulmar on the American side south of the Arctic ^ircle, and it is to some extent in agreement with Rankin and Duffey who state that the largest concentrations would be expected o the north-east ‘in early August at 55 °N. from 20° to 42 °W.” ynne-Edwards cites the Fulmar as “a typical pelagic bird, which Cu?/ usually of shallow water also”, usa (1949) found the reverse state of affairs in March. These n 1C ing observations support the view given above that the zonation tends to break down on the Grand Banks. Phalarope {Phalaropus fulicarius). ‘ at 44- aS'N. All of 49 Ar'Wr _1 LVVV.^ KJU. nu^UbU l/Ul at AA 45 • and one on August 21st at 51 °N. 26° 25'W. 194 BRITISH BIRDS. [vOL. XLIV. them were in winter plumage and although it cannot be certain that it was not the Red-necked Phalarope {Phalaropus lohatus) that was under observation, the grey back and white markings and the size as compared with Wilson’s and Leach’s Petrels, together with a strong presumption based on the occurrence in mid-ocean, all suggest that the species was P. fulicarius and not lobatus. Arctic Tern (^Sterna macrura). The species of the terns observed could never be definitely established as being S. macrura, but, following the practice of previous authors, they are assumed to have been Arctic lerns. The birds were only seen on four days of the last week of the trip, the last record being in the Firth of Clyde within a mile of the ternery on Little Cumbrae Island. The oceanic records are of about 34^birds in eight flocks seen between 5o°N. 31 °W. and 53°N. i8°W. In only three cases did the direction of the flight appear at all definite, on two occasions being N.W. and the third W. The small number whose direction of flight was recorded (23) is not sufficient evidence to support Rankin and Duffey’s sugges- tion of a westerly migration, based on about 64 birds, as opposed to Wynne-Edwards’ deduction of an easterly migration based on 321 birds. The gulls (Laridoe). The present notes have little to add to the knowledge of the distribution of gulls except that fewer Kittiwakes {Rissa tridactyla) were seen in the pelagic zone than might have been expected. The Great Black-backed Gulls seen in the pelagic zone at the end of August were all in immature plumage. Great Skua {^Stercorarius skuay This species was seen mainly in the pelagic zone but also in the offshore region on the return journey. It occurs fairly regularly in the inshore waters of the Clyde Sea-Area. Arctic Skua [Stercorarins parasiticus). Great difficulty was experienced with the identification of the long-tailed skuas, primarily because the proportion of immature birds without the fully developed tail-feathers was very high. On the Grand Banks flocks of immature skuas with very variable plumage phases were seen on 17 out of 23 days. Whenever an adult was seen it invariably proved to be S. parasiticus, but the possibility of some of the immature birds being S. longicaudus cannot be ruled out. No Arctic Skuas were seen in the pelagic zone. The suggestion by Rankin and Duffey that the immatures wander more than the adults is supported by the fact that the pro- portion of adults was markedly higher in August than in July. Long-tailed Skua [Stercorarius longicaudus). Two adult skuas with very long streamer-like tail feathers were seen at a distance on August 21st at approx. 51° 20'N. 26° 30' W. VOL. XLiv.] BIRDS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC 195 The auks (Alcidce). The only auks seen were Puffins {Fratercula arctica) on the western side. They were present in the inshore and offshore zones near St. John’s. References. CusA, N. W. (1949). Birds of the North Atlantic in March. Brit. Birds vol. Xlll, pp. 33-41. ' The Gannet in Shetland in Winter. Brit. Birds Vol. xh, pp. 268-270. ' Nicholson E. M. (1946). Some further notes from the North Atlantic. nrit. Birds, Vol. xxxix, pp. 265-274. 1 HiLipsON, W. R. (1940). Notes on birds seen on a voyage to the West Indies and back. Brit. Birds, Vol. xxxiii, pp. 245-247. Rankin M. N., and Dupfey, E. A. G. (1948). A study of the bird life of the North Atlantic. Brit. Birds Special Supplement, Vol. xli. London^i940 Handbook of British Birds., Vol. iv, n- ^'935)- On the habits and distribution of the birds of the North Atlantic. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. xl, pp. 233-346. STUDIES OF SOME SPECIES RARELY PHOTOGRAPHED XXX. THE GREAT REED -WARBLER. Photographed by G. R. MouNTFORib Walter E. Higham and G. K. Yeates. {Plates 25-29). The Great Reed- Warbler {Acrocephalus arundinaceus) is the largest of the warblers on the British list. Its size and its song we DublUh characters, though in his notes which we publish below Mr. Mountfort draws attention to other distinctions between it and the Reed- Warbler {A. scirpaceus). The song IS much louder and harsher than that of the Reed- Warbler or a frequent and reiterated Dutch ’no T popular ffiit the Karekiet . It cannot be called a beautiful song, but the series of loud, strident and sometimes frog-like notes issuing from sorne Continental reed-bed has a strange fascination for the visiting British ornithologist. It is odd that a bird which breeds in numbers as close to our s lores as Holland should have been recorded on only about a dozen occasions m Britain. Nearly all of these occurrences have been in the south of England. An additional record for Kent appears in this issue (p. 202). j 196 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XLIV. Having had occasion to study the breeding habits of the Great Reed-\Varbler for several years in France, I feel that the informa- tion given in The Handbook might be supplemented in several details. My notes on this species were made in the Seine, Somme, Loire and Yonne river areas and may be considered representative of north-central France. They are given for ease of reference in the same order as employed in The Handbook. Field-characters. Apart from the obvious disparity in size, song and length of bill, the most noticeable difference from the Reed-Warbler is the conspicuous creamy eye-stripe. This and the stout bill can be clearly seen in the accompanying plate (25). The drawing of the Great Reed-Warbler’s head on page 43 (vol. ii) of The Hajidbook is inaccurate in this respect, as it shows the eye-stripe beginning above the eye instead of near the nostrils. The typical Reed-Warbler, on the other hand, has only the merest trace of an eye-stripe and this is scarcely visible in the field ; but the whitish ring around the eye, which is not mentioned, is clearly visible, as may be observed from the accompanying illustration (Plate 25). The drawing of the Reed-Warbler’s head on page 48 (vol. ii) is therefore also misleading. The Handbook describes the Great Reed-Warbler’s movements as “somewhat heavier’’ than the Reed-Warbler’s. In my experience “much heavier’’ would be more accurate. It is noticeable, when both species nest in the same area, that whereas the Reed-Warbler flies into the reed-beds almost without trace, the Great Reed-Warbler “crashes’’ into them like a bird of far greater weight. Voice. The “deep churring croak’’ mentioned in The Handbook is presumably the “hoarse, anxious ‘ krer ’ ’’ which occurs in my notes. The Handbook’ s phonetic descriptions of the very varied, raucous song agree fairly closely with my own, though I feel that “harsh and grating’’ would be more accurate than “guttural and croaking’’, as a general impression. To the typical song-components I would add: a short “krik’’, a flat “kraak’’, a nasal “kraak’’ and a high, squeaking “cheek’’, all of which occur frequently. A characteristic feature of the song is that each component is normally repeated three or four times. The song is usually delivered in typical Reed-Warbler fashion, with one leg braced and the other bent, while clinging to a reed, though occasionally given from a tree or telegraph wire. While singing the bill is opened very widely, showing the yellow interior, and the throat is distended, with the feathers “on end’’. I have no record of the “extremely attractive sub-song’’ quoted in The Handbook. The normal song is extremely resonant and the chorus of a nesting colony is audible at a surprising distance. I British Birds, Vol. xliv, PI. 25. ?0 >H 'O k^rl