240 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



the last winter. I found the nest of a Hedge Accentor last year, which con- 

 tained five eggs. One of the eggs is much smaller than any egg I have ever 

 seen. The other four eggs are the usual size. — Thomas Bedlington, Com- 

 mercial-Street, Middleshro', Aug. 6th, 1855. 



CucJcoo attending to its own young. In 1850 a friend of mine captured an 

 adult Cuckoo (Cuculus canorusj on the nest of a Tit Lark, (Alauda trivialis,) 

 which nest contained a young Cuckoo that appeared to have been hatched 

 three or four days ; the Cuckoo was captured by my friend putting his hat 

 over it, as it was sitting on the young one ; the nest did not contain anything 

 else. He carried both the birds home ; the young Cuckoo soon died, and 

 the old one made its escape after it had been in confinement about a week. 

 The Cuckoos were captured on the Durham side of the Tees, about half a 

 mile from Middleshro' ; I saw both the birds, and am quite certain there is 

 no mistake. — Ibid. 



Thrushes and Starlings Feeding upon the Backs of Sheep. — In No. 54, August 

 1855, at page 189 of The Naturalist, a correspondent gives his opinion that 

 Thrushes and young Starlings feed upon the backs of sheep. As my own 

 observations, for many years, lead me to a different conclusion on this point, 

 I forward the following remarks, which, if you see that they are of any use 

 in aiding the cause of Natural Science, perhaps you will give them a corner 

 in your Magazine. I have for many years noticed the Thrush and Starling 

 frequently on the backs of sheep and cows ; invariably at the season of build- 

 ing their nests ; seldom young birds, but old ones. I was for a considerable 

 time before I could clearly satisfy myself what these birds were engaged in. 

 Here, however, where I have resided for more than seven years, and where 

 both birds are quite common, ample opportunities have been afforded me of 

 more close inspection, and of forming a decisive opinion. Last season, and 

 the preceding, I watched those sweet wai-blers with interest. Sometimes 

 one, two, and even three, could be seen upon the backs of sheep and cows 

 in our pastures, busily engaged picking out the wool from the former, and 

 the fine root hairs from the backs of the latter. Sometimes the animals 

 became restless, and the birds were compelled to fly off. They generally 

 rested, however, a few yards beyond, and so soon as the animals settled 

 again, they resumed their work; and after having got their bills pretty 

 well filled with wool and hair, they flew off to Avhere they were building 

 their nests. The Starlings make their nests in deep decayed holes in some 

 old trees near my cottage, and the Thrushes in the surrounding plantations 

 I have repeatedly examined those nests at this time, and found them built 

 with hair and wool. Another bird frequently seen upon the backs of sheep 

 and cows, here, is the Jackdaw, which, being a stronger bird, appears to 

 annoy sheep and cattle much. This bird builds its nest in chimneys, and in 

 holes in the old trees previously mentioned. — J. L. C, Argyleshire, August 

 30th, 1855. 



