214 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



or three years built platform nests, composed of twigs and bents, similar to a 

 Wood Pigeon's nest, in the branches of the Scotch fir, in the evergreens, 

 Woburn Park. — G. B. Clarice, Woburn, Beds., September 20th., 1851. 



ARRIVALS OF SUMMER BIRDS OF PASSAGE, 



AT PLYMOUTH, THIS YEAR, (1851,) UP TO THE END OF APRIL. 



BY R. A. JULIAN, ESQ., J UN. 



Chiff Chaff and Wheatear. March 21st. At Laira. 



Blackccq). April 1st, In a garden at Yealmpton. 



Sand Martin. April 7th. A pair were seen by my brother, flying over a 

 pond at Crabtree for many hours. 



Swallow. April 13th. Saw a single bird in Plymouth. 



Common Sandpiper and Yelloio Wagtail. April 14th. Sandpiper shot at 

 Laira, by Mr. Bolitho, Plymouth. Wagtail seen near Devonport. 



Willoto Wren and Whitethroat. Saw several at Laira, April loth. 



Redstart. April 16th. My brother saw one at Leigham. 



Sedge Warbler. April 17th. Duck- Hunting-Pool, Laira. 



Whinchat. April 17th. Shot at Laira. 



Tree Larh and Wood Wren. April 1 9th. Saw one of the former, and shot 

 two of the latter, in Bickleigh Vale. 



Grasshopper Warbler. April 20th. Saw one, and also heard it, as I was 

 going to Yealmpton church. 



Hotise Martin and Passerine, or Garden Warbler. April 21st. Near the 

 Erme River. 



GucJcoo. April 24th. Saw a male bird at Compton. 



Laira Hoihse, Plymouth, June 23rc/., 1851, 



Nesting of the Domestic Pigeon and Jaclcdato. — I should not have troubled 

 you with this communication, but that your correspondent, Mr. J. Mc'Intosh, 

 appears to invite a confirmation of the fiict that the House Pigeon prefers 

 forming its nest of twigs to straws, as noticed in his remarks on the nest of 

 the House Pigeon in a late number of "The Naturalist." I have for many 

 years kept a collection of superior bred fancy Pigeons, such as (Jarricrs, 

 Jacobins, Turbits, and other leading varieties, which are confined in a large 

 wired aviary, affording them ample space, and where they breed freely. Now 

 all these exhibit a great partiality for twigs to form their nests, in preference 

 to straw; and to indulge their wishes as far as practicable, I procure from 

 my friends all the worn down birch broom heads that I can obtain; and after 

 releasinof the twigs that are fastened to the handle, throw them to the birds 

 for their domestic purposes, and to which they are immediately applied. I 

 approve of their choice very highly, as the twigs form a most secure and 

 comfortable nest; the drainage assists in keeping it clean, and the sitting birds 

 look more interesting when surrounded by the birch; in fact I have adopted 

 the plan with my Pigeons that is in vogue with Her Majesty's Poultry nests 

 at Windsor, where they are formed of heath. I may add that as I keep 



