14 
last year on the Great Orme, after an absence of several years. I have come 
across the remains of their meals frequently, and they are not particular, 
taking any bird that comes handy. I have found the remains of Gulls, 
Wigeon, Mallard, Pigeons, Curlews, Oyster Catchers and Redshanks. I was 
fishing in Bodorgan Lake in Anglesey last April when many small parties 
of ducks were ‘about, mostly Tufted and Mallard. When we were in the 
middle of the lake a Peregrine flew slowly past the boat at no great height, 
and then suddenly swerved towards some Tufted Ducks and made a magni- 
ficent “‘stoop”’ at one of them, striking the water and sending a cloud of spray 
up. The duck was too quick for him, however, and dived just in time, when 
he flew off with a scream of rage. The Lesser Terns came back to their 
usual breeding place on the shingle on the opposite side of the river, but I 
could not count more than about eight pairs. However, they were not 
molested much and I think must have brought off most of their young. Same 
condition at Prestatyn. A small colony of Sand Martins established them- 
selves in one of the sand bunkers on the Conway Golf Course near the shore. 
J think there were four or five pairs. This is the first time I have known 
them to breed on the Conway side during the last thirty years. A few pairs 
used to nest on the escarpment of the Boulder Clay on the west shore of 
Deganwy, but there have been none there for several years. The Razorbills 
and Guillemots have also suffered from the stormy winter, and I have found 
a considerable number dead on the shore. I found a Little Auk on the shore; 
the first time I have seen it here. In the beginning of January a flock of 
about 40 Geese flew down the river and pitched in the bay. I think they 
were Pink-footed Geese. We do not see may Geese here in the winter. 
except during severe weather on the East Coast. The resident birds must 
have done very well this winter as regards food, as although so stormy it has 
been a remarkably mild winter and the pastures have never been frozen. On 
January 17th, when playing golf on the Conway links, the wind was strong 
and cold, but suddenly it dropped and the sun came out and it became quite 
hot. In a few minutes the air was alive with a small buff coloured Beetle. 
The Rooks and Starlings and Larks were evidently feeding on the larve of 
these beetles, as the turf and sand were riddléd with the holes made by their 
beaks.” 
Dr. Herbert Dobie recorded the remarkable occurrence of a Night Jar 
or Goatsucker in the garden adjoining his residence in Upper Northgate 
Street, Chester, in August, 1919. The bird was seen in the daytime by him- 
self, Mrs. Dobie, and members of his household, reposing on a crosspole. 
Photographs of it were taken, and these were handed round to the audience. 
Dr. Dobie also recorded his observations of the nesting of the Great Spotted 
Woodpecker in the trees near Broxton Lower Hall. 
Mr. Joseph Thompson saw a pair of Lesser or “ Bush Magpies” in the 
neighbourhood of Delamere in July, 1919. A pair of Waterhens nested in the 
Cabin of a disused Canal boat in the Canal Basin at Chester, and brought out 
four chicks. Unfortunately, however, thoughtless boys pelted the young birds 
to death. During the war a pair of Peregrine Falcons nested in the mountains 
in North Wales and succeeded in rearing their young. In their nest were 
found several rings belonging to tame pigeons, which had probably been inter- 
cepted while homing with messages. In rambles taken by Mr. Thompson he also 
found the remains of several birds, including grouse, tame and wild pigeons, 
which had been destroyed by Peregrines. 
Notes on the Lepidoptera of the District by the Curator, Mr. Alfred 
Newstead, for 1919-20 :— A 
Cream coloured variety of Pieris rapa, near Chester. 
Lycena argus (male), captured near Delamere. Several others were seen. 
One specimen of Acronycta leporina taken at Delamere. 
Dark-zoned form of Selenia iilunaria, Green Lane, Blacon, Chester. 
Several specimens of the melanic form of Phigalia pedaria, both males and 
females. Not uncommon at Delamere, and has evidently increased 
during the past few years. : 
