Birds. 7315 



nest is not 6nished I have no doubt I shall soon see it again seeding the wool. The 

 wind produced by the wings of these little birds is considerable, as I noticed that 

 while hovering over a large piece of wool ihe whole surface of the wool was violently 

 agitated. This same bird makes daily visits to the vases of flowers placed in the 

 rooms. — Osbert Salvin, in the ' Ibis,' ii. 39. 



Occurrence of the Firecresfed Regulus (Regulus ignicapillus) near Penzance. — A 

 male specimen of this Regulus, in fine plumage, was brought to me this week, 

 obtained from the parish of Gulval, about a mile fiom Penzance. I think this species 

 can no longer be considered rare in this neighbourhood. — Edward Hear le Rodd ; 

 December 13, 1860. 



Late Stay of Swallows. — November 29 : Saw a martin ; it continued hawking for 

 some time round the house, frequently passing within a few yards of me as it darted 

 after the flies. I had observed one on the 24th, and my son informs me that he saw 

 several swallows on the 1st of December. The weather had been very wet and un- 

 seasonably mild. Swallows having been occasionally noticed by myself and others in 

 this neighbourhood during the month of December, it might readily be imagined that 

 in a mild winter some few at least would remain with us throughout the year ; but I 

 have already recorded my opinion that this is not the case, never having observed or 

 even heard of one from the middle of December till the middle of April, — a pretty 

 good proof that these laggards must either wing their way to warmer climes or perish 

 for want of food, as I cannot bring myself to believe that they would greatly suffer 

 during a mild winter, such as is occasionally. experienced here. — H. HaJfield ; Ventnor, 

 Isle of Wight, December 3, 1860. 



Occurrence of the Little Bustard (Otis tetrax) in Norfolk. — A fine specimen of 

 this rare visitant to our coast was killed on the 29lh of November, at Norton, near 

 Reedham. It proved to be a female, and, as usual with birds of this species when 

 obtained in this country, was shot in a turnip field, its stomach being filled with 

 a mass of green food. — H. Stevenson ; Nonvich, December 12, 1860. 



Occurrence of the Night Heron (Nycticorax ardeola) in Norfolk. — An immature 

 specimen of this rare species was shot about the 8th of this month, in the 

 Caister marshes, near Yarmouth. I had the opportunity of seeing it in the flesh, and 

 found it to be a young bird of the year, resembling the second figure in Yarrell's 

 illustration, having the usual spotted appearance about the wings and scapulars, 

 caused by a triangular white patch, of more or less extent, at the tip of each feather. 

 The feathers of the head and neck are also streaked with brown and white, each 

 feather broadly edged with brown, the quill and centre of the web being while 

 throughout. Unfortunately, when subsequently preserved, the sex was omitted to be 

 noted. Several of these birds have been killed in Norfolk from time to time, in both 

 adult and immature plumage, but not of late years. — Id. 



Large Flight of Woodcocks at the Lizard, Land's End and Scilly Districts. — We 

 have not had such a flight of woodcocks for years as at this season. On Saturday 

 week the Scilly steam-boat brought thirty birds, twenty-five of which were killed at 

 Trescoe Island ; the remainder were killed at the largest island of St. Mary. I have 

 little doubt that if this island had been beaten well fifty would have been sent in 

 addition. Yesterday, at Helston, the market town of the Lizard, the price was 2*. 

 per brace ; here the last market price yesterday was 2s. 6d. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; 

 Penzance, November 9, ] 860. 



