OTES 



WOOD-PIGEON DIPHTHERIA. 



We would remind our readers that the schedules relating to 

 this enquiry, which were attached to the November number 

 of British Birds, should be filled in and posted to us by- 

 March 1st. We may here reiterate the hope expressed on 

 page 199, that our readers will make such a response to the 

 request for information that the enquiry may be made really 

 useful. We cannot remind observers too often that negative 

 evidence which affects the distribution either of the birds or 

 the disease is of equal importance to positive evidence. — Eds. 



UNUSUAL BIRDS IN HERTFORDSHIRE. 



Long-tailed Duck {Harelda glacialis). 

 An immature male Long-tailed Duck was shot on the 

 reservoirs at Tring on November 20th, 1908. We have 

 previously had one visit from this species, an adult S shot 

 November 12th, 1906. 



Pallas's Sand-Grouse {Syrrhaptes paradoxus). 

 On December 1st I saw a flock of seven or eight Pallas's 

 Sand-Grouse near Tring (Parish of Buckland). We were 

 shooting pheasants, and the Sand-Grouse rose out of a turnip 

 field. 



Shag {Phalacrocorax graculus). 



On October 22nd, 1908, a Shag, the first recorded for 

 Hertfordshire, was shot on Tring reservoirs. 



Bittern [Botaurus stellaris). 



A Bittern stayed on the reservoir for ten days, but left last 

 week (January 14th, 1909). It allowed a keeper to stand 

 watching it within three yards for some time. 



Black-necked Grebe {Podicipes nigricollis). 

 A female and a young male were shot on Tring reservoirs 

 on November 21st and 24th, 1908. A female was shot on 

 November 24th, 1903. L W. Rothschild. 



SONG-THRUSH'S NEST IN DECEMBER. 



On December 17th, 1908, a Song-Thrush's nest containing 

 two newly-laid eggs was found at Forton, near Lancaster. 



H. W. Robinson. 



