MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 203 



before and taken his place on the turf. Whenever the water was not supplied him he always 

 flew to the pump, and remained there till his tub was filled and taken into his house. I hope 

 some one who has the opportunity of watching a Tawny Owl will report progress, and throw 

 additional liglit upon this subject. — M. C. Cooke, Trinity Schools, Lambeth, May, 1853. 



Waxwing, (Bombycilla garrula.) — One shot at Smallburgh, in Norfolk, in the month of 

 March in this year; also a pair of Ring Ouzels, {Tardus torquatus,) at Sutton, in the same 

 county, during the week following. — Idem. 



Blue-throated Warbler, (Phsenicura Suecica.) — Some time since I purchased a quantity of 

 birds' skins, which had been bought of a Devonshire man who knew nothing about them, only 

 that he skinned them ; they were chiefly small common skins, and most of them in an indifferent 

 condition; but amongst them was a very decent skin of a Blue-throated AVarbler. This skin 

 Mr. Hadcraft has stuffed for me, and it was his opinion, which he gave me before knowing 

 anytliing of its history from me, that it was a British skin: he never saw a continental skin, 

 he said, filled out like it. I have tried to ascertain further particulars but cannot, only that 

 the man skinned it himself, and did not know anything more about it. — Idem. 



Note of the Blue Tit, (Parus caeruleus.) — During the continuance of the snow in February 

 and March, I had quite a family of birds that daily visited my window for food, which was as 

 regularly furnished as they were punctual in coming for it. Blackbirds, Tlirushes, Eobins, 

 Sparrows, and Tits all fed in peace and joy; the Robins only would enter and perch on our 

 breakfast-table. The others however were very tame; and from a Blackbird we had many a 

 note of thanks; but whilst the Robins gladly and merrily sang in our warm study, the Blue 

 Tit replied, and had I not distinctly seen and heard the songster, I should have stated 

 it was a Robin singing. But I can add further testimony: we, at pi'esent, have a Blue Tit's 

 nest in our garden in a Lauristinus, and regularly the male Tit sits, after his feeding the 

 brood, on the top of the shrub, and sings away very gaily. I think you will observe that the 

 notes of this bird are much harsher and shorter than those of the Robin, and are devoid of 

 that gradual cadence with which the Redbreast often ends his lays, or rather sinks in 

 melody, tliat he may, like the Nightingale, break out in richer music. — George R. Twinn, 

 Bawburgh Hill, near Norwich, May 9th., 1853. 



My first egg obtained this year, was that of a Hedge Sparrow, (Accentor modularis,) found 

 in a nest in a hedge of a north-east aspect, and nearly buried in a snow-drift. The egg is 

 decidedly the smallest of the kind I ever saw. The day, March 23rd. Idem. 



On April 17th., I found a Kingfisher's nest, {Alccdo ispida,) and possessed myself of two 

 eggs. This is the earliest date I ever obtained the eggs of this bird. — Idem. 



On April 20th., I found a Robin's nest, and obtained a perfectly white egg from it; the others 

 being of the usual colour. — Idem. 



The Cuckoo, {Cuculus eanorus,) was heard in this neighbourhood on Api-il 23rd., nearly three 

 weeks beyond the usual period. — Idem. 



The Swallow, {Hirmido rust tea,) appeared April 9th., 1853; the Sand Martin, {Hirimdo 

 riparia,) April 19th.; the Martin, {Hirimdo urbica,) May 7th. — Idem. 



Arrival of the Hirundines, etc., at Mixehead, Somerset, in 1853. — By Captain Gifford. 

 Swallow, {Hirundo rustica,) April 8th. Martin, {Ilirundo urbica,) May 5th. Swift, {Ci/p- 

 seliis apus,) May 9th. Cuckoo, {Cuculus canorus,) April 27th. 



Tlie Swallow, (Hirundo rustica.) — On the loth, instant, I noticed that the Swallows had 

 arrived in this locality, having seen a pair flying about my father's house; in a stable near 

 to which there have been Swallows' nests for many years past. On the 17th. instant, whilst 

 walking across Baguley Moor, I saw a pair of Swallows flying to and from a house, and on 

 going up to the house, I found that they were busily engaged in building a nest, part of which 

 they had already constructed. — John Balshaw, Post Office, Altrincham, April 19th., 1853. 



Chimney Swallow oh the 8th. of April, near Gosport. — On taking a walk to-day near Alver- 

 stoke I was delighted by observing the Chimney Swallow, {Hirundo rustica,) the first which 

 I have seen this year. I think it is rather earlier than usual, and therefore worth placing on 



