9782 Birds. 



Rook (Corvus frugilegus). — The farmer's true friend, and, I believe, in 

 every instance where its destruction has been completed, the crops 

 have rapidly followed suit. 



Jackdaw (Corvus monedula). — Exceedingly numerous in the rocks 

 of Downton, and the ruins of Ludlow Castle, as well as in other 

 localities. 



Magpie (Pica caudata). — Wherever the hand of the gamekeeper 

 relaxes this handsome bird is still found in great abundance. 



Jay (Ganulus glaudarius). — Common in our woods, and nests with 

 us most seasons. 



John Rocke. 



Cluugunford House, Shropshire, 

 September 6, 1865. 



(To be continued.) 



Early Arrival of the Fieldfare. — On Monday, August 21st, whilst driving from 

 Tring to Great Berkhainpstead, I was surprised to see a large flock of fieldfares (Turrfus 

 pilaris), nearly filling the trees for some yards on each side of the road. Before coming 

 close to them I fancied they must be missel thrushes {Tardus viscivorus), which are 

 wont to flock at this time of year, but upon pulling up my pony to observe them more 

 closely, I found them to be indubitable fieldfares. So early an arrival of these migra- 

 tory birds is, I believe, most unusual, and the fact may be worthy of record in the 

 pages of the 'Zoologist.' — H. Ilarpur Crewe; The Rectory, Drayton- Beauchamj), 

 Trimj, September 6, 1 865. 



Shore Lark near London. — I have a living specimen of the shore lark {Alauda 

 a(pestris), which was caught on Hackney Marshes by a birdcatcher last March : having 

 been caged so long it has now become very tame. Its call is something similar to that 

 of the sky lark.— TAomas Eedle ; 9, Maidstone Place, Goldsmith's Row, Hackney Road, 

 N.E., September, 1865. 



Redwinged Starling near Liphook. — While on a visit near Liphook, in Hampshire, 

 I saw a specimen of this rare species on a beech tree in the shiubl)ery ; he was not 

 more than ten or fifteen yards from me, so I was enabled to watch him distinctly: he 

 was of a glossy black, the shoulders of the wing being red. In his actions he strongly 

 resembled the tits, hanging head downwards coniiiiuaily, apparently searching for 

 insects. This bird was seen by me on the 16lh of May, 1865; the family had observed 

 it for about a fortnight previously: it has since left the neighbourhood. — W.Jesse; 

 Maisonette, Ingalestone, August 3, 1865. 



Roller near the Land's End. — I saw a specimen yesterday of this species, which, 

 on dissection, appeared to be an old female which had been killed a day or two since 

 near the Logan Rock, a locality favourable for this bird, as other specimens (my own 

 amongst the rest) have been procured from there. — Edivard Hearle Rodd; Penzance, 

 September 16, 1865. 



The Villous Coaling of a Cuckoos Stomach. — 1 have this day (August the 21st) 

 examined the stomach of a cuckoo, a bird of the year, which had been shot yesterday. 



