44 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICKS. 



Capture of tJie Quail., (Cotumix vulgaris.) —An intimate friend of mine has in his 

 collection a female specimen of this rare and lonely bird, tluit was caught in a snow-storm near 

 Kighton, in this county, on the 6th. of February last; he kept it alive for some time, but 

 finding it too much trouble, and considering it a 'rara avis,' he was induced to kill and stuff 

 it. I can say they are very scarce in this county, also in my native county, Warwickshire; 

 although I have been a field-ranger for the last twenty years, I never came across one of these 

 birds. In the winter of 1849, Mr. White, of Newparkcs, sent one to me to preserve for him 

 that was shot on his farm, about a mile from here, but it is singular enough that in the above 

 two instances they should occur at a time of the year which proves that they do occasionally 

 remain with us the winter through. — William Bond, Frog Island, Leicester, September 15th. , 

 1853. 



Departure of the Swift, (Cypsolus murarius,) and Swalloro, (Ilirundo rustica.) — The Swift has 

 this year remained with us rather longer than usual— one was seen up to the 29th. of August ; 

 I remember SDme years ago seeing a pair on the 3rd. of September, the latest I have any 

 record of. I have watched these birds about the time of their departure, and have found that, 

 of all the Ilirundines, the Swift makes its exit the most punctual and sudden ; I have particularly 

 remarked this some years when the weather has been most glorious and inviting to their stay, 

 but no! their time is come, and off they go with unerring instinct. The Swallow is more 

 protracted, diminishing daily by the middle, and in general finally by the end, of October, 

 but on referring I find that I saw one as late as the 2oth. of November, 1842. Three years 

 ago, at the west end of this town, by the River Soar, there was an osier-bed, which afforded 

 shelter, at this time of the year, to such vast quantities of these birds, that we called it the 

 grand "dep6t" for the county; I am certain they must come miles to roost in this "bed;" 

 I have been out at all points round Leicester, and invariably found them making for this 

 favourite spot. On fine evenings it was amusing to see how high and playfully they would 

 fly along, but in stormy weather, low, direct, and rapid in their course; towards sunset they 

 would pour in from all quarters, making the air ring with their twitter, and forming one 

 immense body. After performing these aerial evolutions over their roosting-place till nearly dusk, 

 they would begin to fall like a shower of stones, till all was hushed. I and a friend were once 

 amongst them, and I was more astonished than ever to see such numbers— every available spot 

 had its occupant; but now, to our mortification and regret, it is cut down, and it will take 

 years to produce again such a shelter for these very interesting and useful creatures. — Idem. 



Late Nesting of the Martin, (Hirundo urbica.) — While sitting near the window one afternoon 

 about a fortnight ago, I was rather surprised to observe a House Martin very busily engaged 

 in laying the foundation of a nest in a corner of the window; it proceeded very indcfatigably 

 for some time, but then, seeming to bo seized with some sudden caprice, left the newly-begun 

 nest altogether; the same thing took place in another window of the house. Is it not a singular 

 circumstance for a bird of this species to commence building at such an advanced period of the 

 season? The second brood being generally fully fledged before this time, it is certainly rather 

 strange that the bird should have been engaged in constructing a nest so late in the year. I 

 do not know if any of your numerous ornithological correspondents have ever observed the 

 like circumstance. — John Doig, Surgeon, Torrybum, Fife, September 16th., 1853. 



The Bernacle Goose, (Anser bemicla,) at Redcar. — A very fine specimen of the Bemacle Goose 

 •was shot on the 1st. instant, in Coatham Marsh. The person who killed it, says there were 

 nine in the flock when he fired, but as only seven were seen the following day, he supposes 

 another had fallen elsewhere. They have now disappeared from this locality. This Goose is 

 rare in this part of the country, for I never saw it, or heard of its having been met with here 

 before.— T. S, Rudd, Redcar, October 22nd., 1853. 



Sclavonian Grebe, (Podiceps cornutus,) at Redcar. — A fine immature specimen of the Sclavonian 

 Grebe was found this morning in a disabled state by the side of the Railway; supposed, in its 

 flight, to have been in contact with the wire of the Electric Telegraph; for, on dissection, it 

 was found to be much injured on the fore part of the breast. Two Short-eared Owls, {Otus 

 brachyotos) were also found about the same time and place, having each a wing broken. — Idem. 



Wood Sandpiper, (Tetanus glareola,) breeding near Newcastle. — A nest of the Wood Sandpiper, 

 a bird which has hitherto not been known to breed in Great Britain, was found at Prostwick 



