SOME BIRD PROBLEMS 97 



Those who have watched the aerial evolutions of a Kestrel 

 (Falco tinnunculus), so faithfully described by Richard Jefferies, 

 have doubtless been struck, as I have, with the immense per- 

 sistence which this species exhibits when hovering during its 

 search for prey, and how rarely it comes to earth as a result of 

 its ceaseless quest. It seems to me that this species has to 

 work exceedingly hard to make a living, and possesses powers 

 in the air which mark it off, as it were, from any of the 

 other smaller birds of prey. Do these suggestions open up 

 any features that are likely to afford further information and 

 enlightenment ? 



The distribution of the Gannet (Sida bassana) as a nesting 

 species is interesting, as, so far as is known, its nesting sites 

 throughout the whole world can probably be counted on the 

 two hands, yet there are hundreds of sites which appear equally 

 suitable. Many species of British birds, we know fairly con- 

 clusively, return to the same haunt year after year. The Gannet 

 appears to do so, too, with unfailing regularity, and we are told 

 its numbers neither increase or decrease, but always appear to 

 be normal. Is any further information forthcoming on the 

 points I have raised respecting this sky-pilot, as we may call it, 

 a species which watches for its finny prey from a tremendous 

 altitude, possesses a remarkable focussing power, and takes as 

 superb a headlong plunge into the sea as any creature which thus 

 gets its living. 



Most of our British Ducks build open nests, but there is an 

 exception in the case of the Common Sheld-Duck, or Burrow 

 Duck (Tadorna tadorna), as it is also called. This species burrows 

 into sandhills, and places its nest at the extremity. Why should 

 this species adopt this nesting habit which is so different from 

 that of its relatives ? I would also ask why the Wild Duck 

 (Anas boscas) feeds on the surface of the water, while the Pochard 

 (Nyroca ferina] dives for its daily bread ? There are other 

 comparisons that might be made respecting these upper and under 

 surface feeding Ducks, as they may be called, but these two con- 

 crete examples will serve the present purpose. Is any explana- 

 tion to be offered respecting this difference of habit in such 

 closely-allied species ? 



The Stone Curlew ((Edicnemus cedicnemus) is one of our most 

 interesting Summer Migrants. It resorts to large, open fields, 

 heaths, downs, and desolate, waste places, where there is little 

 cover. It is a strong-legged species, keen-eyed, and a capital 



