9500 Birds. 



worms, but more frequently, with wings half closed, merely touching 

 the ground, from VAhich they seemingly rebound, so light and buoyant 

 are they. On returning to the spot, about three hours later in the day, 

 found them as busy as ever. 



Crested Grebe. — Seen off Shanklin. 



Cormoratit. — This species has frequently been observed passing and 

 repassing, in its regular and diurnal flight from the roosting-station at 

 the Needles to its feeding-ground off Bembridge. 



Raieti. — Have noticed but few during the winter, and those single 

 birds. It is by no means so common a species in the under-cliff as 

 formerly, when our lambs and sickly sheep suffered from their attacks. 

 A solitary pair bred in the high cliffs between the Luccombe and 

 Shanklin Chines till within the last year or two, but they now build in 

 the Culver Cliffs. 



Gray Wagtail. — This species has been frequently observed, the 

 late snow-storms and inclement weather having doubtless driven ihem 

 to the under-cliff. On the 1st of February I saw a couple, apparently 

 paired, flying about the Bonchurch Pond, and chasing each other 

 from tree to tree, and perching on the branches, regardless of my 

 presence, though standing within twenty yards of them. The gray 

 wagtail is, I think, more arboreal than the rest. 



IVidgeon and Teal. — Seen in the Bembridge and Brading Marshes. 



Rook. — On the 9th of February observed rooks busily engaged in 

 and about their nests in a grove of lofty trees at Yaverland. Many of 

 our elms must be of great age ; for instance, those in the village of 

 Bonchurch remain, to all appearance, as they were fifty years ago. 



Henky Hadfield. 



Veutnor, Isle of Wight, 



February 11, 1865. 



Rednecked Grebe near Leeds. — A specimen of the rednecked grebe ^Podiceps rubri- 

 coUis) was broufiht to me yesterday: it had flown against the telegraph wires, but was 

 apparently uninjured; it is, at all events, very lively, and has eaten ibis day two 

 sparlings and four sprats. A few weeks ago I had a woodcock brought me, which had 

 killed itself by flying against the wires near the same place; and, not long ago, 

 a spotted crake under similar circumstances. — W. Christy Horsf all ; Horsfortk Low 

 Hall, near Leeds, Februari/ 15, 1865. 



Sclavoniati Grebe at Fern Island, Northumberland. — I have just obtained a speci« 

 men of the Sclavoniau grebe, which was shot by a boatman on the Fern Island, 

 Northumberland, last week. It is a female, weighing eleven ounces, and measuriug 

 thirteen inches from tip of bill to tip of tail. — Charles B. Hodgson; Hunlon Hill, 

 Slade Lane, near Birmingham; February 16, 1864. 



