NOTES. 161 



on-Tyne and began to settle on the roof until I counted over 

 eighty and many others kept coming in or flying round. Those 

 on the roof were either preening their feathers or flying up 

 in batches, then settling down again, whilst they kept up 

 a continual twitter. 



At seven o'clock precisely I heard a distinct sound like a 

 pea-whistle proceed from one of the birds flying round, when 

 instantly the whole of the Martins on the roof arose with one 

 accord and began circling round ascending higher and higher 

 until they were almost lost to sight, when they made off in a 

 line direct southwards. Within ten minutes not one was to 

 be seen. It was a beautiful calm evening. 



J. S. T. Walton. 



LESSER REDPOLL NESTING IN ESSEX. 

 On June 19th I found a nest of the Lesser Redpoll (Linota 

 rufescens) in a lane two miles from Waltham Abbey on the 

 main road to Nazeing Common. The nest was built about 

 four feet from the ground in a small bush growing on the top 

 of a high bank, and contained five eggs in an advanced state 

 of incubation. I have been in the neighbourhood of 

 Waltham Abbey every spring and summer for the last ten 

 years, but I have never before seen a Lesser Redpoll or found 

 its nest. 



R. Hay Fenton. 



NESTING DATES OF THE LESSER REDPOLL IN 

 CAMBRIDGESHIRE, BEDFORDSHIRE AND WILT- 

 SHIRE. 



Some further dates of the nesting of the Lesser Redpoll (Linota 

 rufescens) may be of interest : — 



Wicken Fens, Cambs. — May 19th, 1901, one egg. June 2nd, 

 1901, three newly-hatched young and two eggs. 



Temps ford, Beds. — June 21st, 1908, five eggs, apparently 

 about half incubated. May 20th, 1909, three eggs, newly-laid. 

 May 31st. 1909, two nests, one containing four eggs, apparently 

 at least half incubated ; the second, one egg and four newly- 

 hatched young. 



Chippenham Park, Cambs. — June 21st, 1909, two nests, both 

 with young about four days old. 



George T. Atchinson. 



Reverting to Mr. Gray's remarks in the last number of 

 British Birds on the breeding time of the Lesser Redpoll 

 (Linota rufescens) in Essex, it may be of interest to him and 



