MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 181 



The Lo/pwlng, (Vanellus crlstatus.)— During the early part of last March, I was rambling 

 about Weston Moor, near Otley, a favourite district of the Lapwings, and noticed, as I 

 quite expected, that they were all paired, and very clamorous at being disturbed. Towards 

 the latter end of the same month, I was at Malham, and felt rather surprised to find these 

 birds in that district still frequenting the swampy ground in large flocks: I am almost at 

 a loss to account for this singularity, both localities seeming to possess the same advantages. 

 It must not be undei-stood that the Lapwing frequents the mountainous district above Malham, 

 but seems to prefer the low ground, through which some little stream meanders, where the 

 vegetation is luxuriant, and food most abundant. All naturalists agree that they generally 

 forsake the high moorlands on the approach of winter, and retire towards the coast, or some 

 fenny district ; yet at the same time that large flocks may be found near the sea, or frequenting 

 the mouths of such rivers as the Humber, it often happens that a few stragglers will casually 

 visit us inland, in the depth of winter, probably on their passage between the two coasts. 

 In the months of December and January 1849, large flocks were seen in the neighbourhood 

 of Knaresborough, frequenting the fallow land for a few days, and then pursuing their course in 

 an easterly direction. They seem to be very docile, particularly when caught young; I have 

 often seen them' quite domesticated, and kept in gardens, when they seem to be of infinite 

 service, in gobbling up worms, etc. I remember hearing of a young lady, who kept a pet 

 Lapwing for some time, which contracted a curious friendship towards a little terrier dog : they 

 were both brought up much together, and at first the poor bird had a sad time of it, its canine 

 companion not being one of the most gentle playmates ; however it safely escaped all the teasing 

 and wonying parts incidental to juvenile doghood, and doubtless both advanced in wisdom as they 

 advanced in years. The Lapwing's favourite locality was the kitchen garden, and whenever 

 the dog chanced to pass that way, he was sure to be joined by his feathered friend, who 

 closely accompanied him throughout his rambles amongst the cabbages and cauliflowers; the 

 only drawback to this intimacy was when the dog unluckily brought a bone into the garden 

 to pick, when the friendly bird had the sagacity to keep at a respectful distance. This curious 

 friendship lasted until the poor bird, one unlucky day, fell a cruel sacrifice to some prowling 

 half-starved cat. — Idem. 



Tlie Hobby, (Falco subbuteo.) — At the end of last April, a fine specimen of an adult male 

 was shot at Dickleborough, in Norfolk, and is now in my possession. — E. E. Stride, Highbury 

 Park, Islington, near London, Juno 9th., 1853. 



The Hawflneh, (Coccothraustes vulgaris.) — A nest of this scarce bird was taken on the 19th, 

 ultimo, in a Hornbeam tree, in Epping Forest, not very far from the town of that name. It 

 was shallow, and loosely constructed of dry grass, containing five eggs, two of which are in 

 my collection. — Idem. 



The JF/icatear, (Saxicola ccnanthe.) — This bii'd is by no means uncommon in this neighbour- 

 hood, notwithstanding its proximity to London — being only three miles in a direct line from 

 the Royal Exchange, but, considering the distance, very open. Since I have taken up the 

 pursuit of Ornithology as an amusement, I have been much surprised and gratified to find that so 

 many varieties of birds are in the habit of visiting this place, and specimens of the i-arer kinds 

 by no means unfrequently occur. I am in hopes of ascertaining that the Wheatear breeds in 

 this place, which it probably would, if left undisturbed by the numerous visitors to the 

 surrounding fields. — Idem. 



The other day, May 4th., about six a. m., I saw a pair of Terns, (Sterna Hirundo,) fishing 

 up and down the River Soar, close to where I live. So keen were their appetites, and so 

 intent upon their prey, that they often flew within gunshot. They were in friendly company 

 with scores of their Liliputian brethren, such as Sand Martins, House Martins, and Swallows. 

 It was quite a treat to an "inland" ornithologist to see with what ease and grace they flew, 

 and how beautifully they glided over the surface of the water. I recollect some four or five 

 years ago seeing a pair in the same locality.— "William Bond, Frog Island, Leicester, May 

 23rd., 1853. 



Note on the Puffin, (Fratercula arctica,) and Razor Bill, (Alca torda.)— Singular as it may 

 appear at this season, the beach at Morfa, Bychaw, and Harlech has lately been strewed with 

 dead PuflSns and Razor-bills. A question here arises for the ornithologist, as to whether these 



