184 FIRST APPEARANCES OF 1URDS, INSECTS, ETC. 



CHAFFINCH (Fringilla Calebs}. A White - winged Cock 

 Chaffinch observed at Sherborne. (T.R.A.) 



REDSTART (Ruticilla phccnicurus], Not uncommon about 

 Sherborne. One or more pairs observed every year in the same 

 localities. (T. R. A.) 



WOODPECKERS (Dendrocopus major and minor]. The Greater 

 and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, both observed at Sherborne. 

 (T. R. A.) 



WATER RAIL (Rallus aquaticus], One shot at Bere Regis on 

 January 18. (G. H.) 



KESTREL (Falco tinnuncnhis}. Bere Regis. Four eggs 

 April 24. (G. H.) 



CORNCRAKE (Crex pmtensis), A fine specimen, well nourished, 

 with the plumage in perfect condition, was caught on March 20 

 in some allotment gardens just outside Poole, having been 

 driven by a ferret out of a rat's hole in a hedge bank, where it 

 had evidently taken refuge. It was either a very early visitor or 

 had remained during the winter. The weather was unusually 

 mild. (J. R. E.) 



TUFTED DUCK (Fuligula cristata\ 6v. One dropped down 

 into the fresh water lake in Poole Park, attracted by the tame 

 ducks, and remained for several days, seeming very tame. I saw 

 it myself on April 3, when it was very lively, ducking itself and 

 raising and depressing its long crest feathers. It disappeared 

 on April 4. A wounded (winged) Widgeon dropped into the 

 same lake during the winter, and was later on joined by a male 

 bird, which has remained with it ever since, keeping as far away 

 from the people as possible, where they are sheltered by the long 

 grasses. We have had between 30 and 40 Bald Coot in the 

 Park all the winter, but there are now (April 12) only a few pairs 

 left. I think they go to Littlesea in Studland Bay to breed. 

 There have also been a pair of Dabchicks, and I have several 

 times seen a Kingfisher along the shore of the Harbour this 

 winter. (J. R. E.) 



(E. J. B.), Osmington, has sent the following note on various 

 birds : Large numbers of Guillemots ( Uria troile), some razor- 



