192 BRITISH BIRDS, |vol. xiv. 



nomenclature is that we are seldom sure, when there is only one growth 

 of pre-penna?, whether it belongs to the so-called first or second genera- 

 tion. Pycraft believes that it is always the Protoptiles that have 

 been suppressed in such cases but, as I have pointed out {Ibis, October 

 1920, pp. 857 and 873), some of the Raptores indicate that it is, 

 at least occasionally, the second and not the first generation that 

 has disappeared. A way out of this difficulty would be to form a 

 retrogressive system of nomenclature starting from the final " adult " 

 plumage — such as Penna-, Pre-penn?c and Antc-pre-penna?. These 

 are admittedly clumsy names but they have the merit of being self- 

 explanatory. Similar prefixes could, of course, be applied to the 

 plumulae series. Collingwood Ingram. 



BROODING PRIOR TO LAYING. 



To the Editors of British Birds. 



Sirs, — In the December issue of British Birds (p. 159) there is a very 

 interesting note, by Mr. J. H. Owen, on the above, but I am reluctant 

 to accept his diagnosis of the two cases cited. 



Undoubtedly such brooding does occur at times, but only extends 

 over a short period, and is carried on at short intervals, i.e., the bird 

 remains on the nest for a few hours at a time. 



It should not be confused with the " brooding " of very old birds 

 incapable of further egg-production. Such birds — quite commonly — 

 build orthodox nests and brood in them for days, sometimes for weeks, 

 until gradually, in some instances suddenly, they desert them altogether. 



These barren birds are not uncommon amongst the Corvidae and 

 Raptores — two long-lived families. 



Until recently I have been familiar with such a pair of Ravens in 

 a mountain of this county. Annually the nest was built and com- 

 fortably lined, when the female would begin to " sit," but after a 

 period of " brooding " she would leave the empty nest, and go off 

 foraging again with her mate. Once I got to within a few feet of this 

 old lien, which, disregarding tlie male's harsh, warning calls, just stood 

 up in the nest to watch me, croaking all the time. 



Both the instances given by Mr. (.)wen should, I think, be attributed 

 to barren birds. No eggs were laid and the Rook, he says, desertetl 

 after a fortnight's " sitting," while the Hedge-Sparrow remained on 

 ci.'en longer before finally departing. C. J. Carroll. 



Fethard, CO. TiPPERAKY, December 1920. 



