212 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



The Rev. C. Bulteel informs me he has frequently seen one at the mouth of 

 the River Ernie during the hist fortnight. A great distinguishing mark between 

 young and old birds of this species, (and also of the Greenshank, Redshank, 

 and Curlew Sandpiper,) is, that the rump feathers of the young are slightly 

 barred at their tips, those of adult birds being pure white. — Idem. 



Note on Green Sandpiper. — August 14th. A pair of Tutamis Ocliropus, 

 male and female, were shot together at a small pond near St. Keyne; they 

 were in moult, but in good plumage, and very fat. The gizzards contained 

 a few aquatic larvae, and their contents diffused in water, appeared like a 

 quantity of small black hairs; which under the microscope, were apparently 

 a vegetable substance in a state of decomposition, — Clement Jackson, East 

 Looe, September 10^/j., 1851. 



Singular situations for the nests of the Blue Tit, (P. ceruleus,) and Common 

 Moorhen, (G. chloropus.) — The Rev. Edmund Smyth, of Elkington, Lincoln- 

 shire, showed me, this spring, a nest of the Blue Tit placed inside a wooden 

 pump. The parent birds entered through the orifice made for the handle, and 

 the nest was placed about a foot below it, and was built all round the piston 

 rod of the pump, filling up the whole space inside; but the frequent working of 

 the piston rod produced a large hole through the centre of the nest. The young 

 were nestled up in one corner, but so near was the piston rod that it must have 

 grazed the old bird, when in use; notwithstanding this constant disturbance she 

 reared her young: one alone fiilling a victim, being crushed between the piston 

 rod and the nest. I believe she occupied the same situation last year. There is 

 a nest of the Common Moorhen at Croxby Lake, placed in a thorn-bush at 

 least three feet above the water. It is placed upon a broad branch, and built, 

 as usual, of rushes, etc. It had eggs when first found, and hangs slightly over 

 the water. — li. F. Alington, Sioinhope Rectory, Lincolnshire, Aitf/ust, 1851. 



A White House Martin, (Hirundo urbica.) — For the last two or three days 

 1 have seen, sporting about with its companions, a pure white variety of the 

 House Martin. I have seen and frequently heard of a White Swalloiv, but 

 never before of a 'White House Martin — (perhaps some of your readers may.) 

 I am quite satisfied in my own mind that it is a ^llouso Martin,' from 

 frequently seeing it go out and into its nest, which is under the eaves of my 

 neighbour's dwelling, where there are four nests of this species. Mr. Hewitson, 

 in his valuable work on "The Eggs of British Birds," says, ^'The Martins 

 are, I fear, and I grieve to think it, yearly becoming less numerous in this 

 country." This fear I hope is groundless, for in the numerous villages with 

 which I am acquainted in this county, and other portions of England, Scot- 

 land^ and Ireland, I have always found more or less of these delightful and 

 interesting birds. Perhaps some correspondent may say, you ought to have 

 shot this bird: but I ssiy no! And only hope that it may be spared to 

 visit us again next spring. — J, Mc Intosli, Charminster, Dorset, Aiujust dth., 

 1851. 



