Ja62: General Bird Notes. — [ZOE 
dodging in the air, but the duck, frightened and tired, soon saw that 
his swift pursuer was getting the best of it, so he closed his wings 
tight against his body and dropped like a stone into the water and 
plunged out of sight. 
Now comes the beginning of the end. While he was under water 
he either saw the hawk hovering over him or else he became bewil- 
dered, for he came again out of the water flying. Like lightning 
the hawk struck; there was a muffled “‘squawk,” and the tragedy 
was ended. SAM. HUBBARD, JR. 
PUGNACIOUS FLICKERS. 
The following facts were related to me by my brother. And there 
is a fine skin of one of the birds in my collection. 
Oue day he heard a commotion in the loft of the barn, and, 
thinking that perhaps the cat had caught a bird, he ascended to 
discover the cause. In the eaves of the barn was a hole made by 
woodpeckers. Fighting vigorously through this hole were a cou ple 
of flickers (Colaptes cafer). The birds made such a din that they 
did not notice his approach and he easily took the inside one in his 
hand. The bird on the outside, probably thinking that it had 
vanquished its enemy, promptly entered in pursuit and was in its 
turn taken in the other hand. 
How blind must have been their rage, and how perfectly oblivious 
of their own end they must have been, for, although still in the hands 
of their captor, upon being brought together, they would immedi- 
ately resume the combat, fighting with bill and claws as though 
their fate depended upon the result. 
It would have been interesting to have discovered the cause of the 
dispute. Perhaps the explanation may be found in the fact that 
both the contestants were females, and it may have been the outcome 
of a fit of jealousy. Epwarp C, Merwin. 
THE MOCKING BIRD AT REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA. 
In regard to the occurrence of the mocking bird (Afimus polyglot- 
tos) in this vicinity, I would say that the specimen which I now have 
in my collection was taken here in Redwood City, September 5, 
1891. It was hopping about the ground in search of food, and, al- 
though exceedingly watchful, could not be called shy, as it ap- 
