MTSCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 189 



Anecdote of the Robin, (Erythaca rul)ecula.) — I have just heard the following interesting circum- 

 stance, and thinking it might be worthy of notice, I send it for insertion in your valuable 

 journal, "The Naturalist," if you should consider it of sufficient importance. A friend of mine, 

 who, a few years ago resided at Bank House, Bunilej^ was in the habit of feeding daily a 

 well-known and favourite Robin. An envious Spanow coining one day to join in the good 

 things provided, was driven away by the Robin, and not well pleased at the treatment it had 

 received came again, attended by superior numbers, so that now it was the Redbreast's turn 

 to be defeated, but only in the way of "living to fight another day," for the next day to 

 the surprise of my friend and his family, a Crow, ( Corvus corone,) appeared with his red- 

 breasted friend, and kept away all intruders, whilst they partook of what was set before them 

 amicably together. They came several days in company, and then were both quite lost sight 

 of. However strange this may appear, I have the same confidence in it as though I had 

 myself been witness of the affair: it was seen by many members of the family. — Thomas 

 KiRKHAM, Manchester, February 26th., 1854. 



Occurrence of the Common Crossbill, (Loxia curvirostra,) in the higher districts of Banffshire. 

 — A small party of these birds, consisting of five individuals, was observed a few weeks ago in 

 a fir plantation near Dufi'barsen. They were in active operation when first seen, feeding on 

 the seeds of the fir cone. The cones were split with remarkable dexterity and apparent ease. 

 Two were procured-»-a male and female. — Thomas Edward, High-Street, Banff, February 11th., 

 1854. 



Note on the Blackcap, (Curruca atrioapilla.) — I was much surprised on the 10th. ult., being 

 then at "Wynyard Park, at seeing a Black-cap: surely this is a very early appearance for this 

 bird ; the day was warm, with a westerly wind : there could be no mistake, as I took particular 

 notice of it.— George Hodge, Seaham Harbour, March 7th., 1854, 



Anomalous Eggs. — Last summer I obtained, from a Grey-bird's nest, two eggs about the size 

 of a "Twite's," but rounder, with dark red spots on the small end, with a greenish ground, 

 these eggs had no j'olks I also received a Pheasant's egg, taken from a nest containing twenty, 

 this egg was about the size of that of a Common Bunting but rounder.— Idem. 



Wanton Cruelly. — A circumstance occurred the other day, in the vicinity of Ripon, which 

 reflects no honour to amateur sportsmen on the highways. The same circumstance, I fear, is 

 now practised daily, with no credit to parties connected therewith. I saw in the heavens a 

 Lark, one moment happy in its song of adoration, and nearly the next it was seen torn away 

 with the sod upon which it had settled, by a ruthless fellow who levelled his gun and successfully 

 closed the happy throbs within an innocent and joyous little breast. The Lark seems sacred, 

 at this time of the year, to all human feelings for protection ; but toasted Larks appeared more 

 prized than a cheering song, bj' a person who went larking against Larks. — C. W. Rotheky, 

 Ripon, March 30th., 1854. 



Note on the Starling, (Sturnus vulgaris.)— In the December number of "The Naturalist," I 

 noticed an article on the malformation in the bill of a Starling. "When I was at school in 

 Berkshire a pair of Starlings had a nest in an old acacia tree, we one day caught the hen bird 

 on the nest, and were surprised to find that her bill was quite crossed, and was very much 

 longer than is usual with them. It was nearly two inches long and crossed about the middle, 

 so that the bill was something of the shape of a pair of half-open scissors. We caught the 

 same bird the following year, in fact I dare say she, with her mate, continues to build there 

 now, nobody earing to notice her deformity with anything more than curiosity. At the same 

 time and place I was in the habit of going on a night and attempting to catch birds roosting 

 in some stacks of clover near the plajground. One time I went and put my hand in one of 

 the holes, to my astonishment I found in there a number of Wrens, and when I took my 

 hand out I found there weie seven of them. I had often seen two fly from the same hole 

 but never more, I do not even remember that it was particularly cold or wet at the time. 

 Yesterday I found the first nest I have seen this season (except rooks') it was a Robin's, just 

 finished and ready for eggs. I also noticed that the Starlings were building in the turret of 

 a friend's house.— H. D. Drury, Ju.v., Grote's Buildings, Blackheath, March 28th., 1854, 



