The Zoologist — April, 1866. 171 



though a slight vibratory motion is observed. This is, perhaps, the 

 most beautiful and graceful of British birds. 



November, 1865. 



Swallow and Martin. — November 1st. Though many of both species 

 were to-day observed hawking about the inland cliffs at St. Lawrence, 

 there were kw old or forktailed birds among them. Judging from the 

 narrow circles described, their insect food must still be plentiful. I 

 had before seen swallows and martins about these shelving cliffs late 

 in the season, and believe they roost in the crevices and on the ledges. 

 On the 11th some of both species observed at 3 p.m. flying about 

 the Bonchurch cliffs, where I had also noticed a iew on the 7th. On 

 the 15th one martin was seen ; and on the 16th I saw three swallows 

 about the church spire ; thermometer 50° at 9 A. M. 23rd. Three 

 martins observed to-day hawking ; weather very wet and mild ; ther- 

 mometer 53° at 9 A. M. 27th. Two martins seen about the sea-cliffs 

 at Shanklin, and I observed a swallow pass over the village at 4 P. M. 



Magpie. — Is now to be met with in flocks ; I saw a small one on 

 the 1st flying in loose order, as is their habit. 



House Sparrow. — November 1st. Observed one carrying straw into 

 an ivy-clad tree, but this habit I have more than once had occasion to 

 notice and record. A sparrow found dead on the lawn having been 

 opened, several small angular pieces of brick were found in the gizzard, 

 so that they could not have been long swallowed. 



Lesser Blackbacked Gull. — The plumage of a pair of these gulls, 

 taken from the nest in the Freshwater cliffs during the spring of last 

 year, is in the transition state described by Temminck, and the tail 

 for the greater part of a brownish-black colour. But there is reason 

 to believe that the moulting of birds in captivity varies greatly ; for 

 instance, a caged bullfinch, whose moult last year was completed by 

 the middle of October, had, at the same period this year, hardly com- 

 menced. But may not the unusual mildness of the season partly 

 account for it, and the feathers of birds — as the leaves of trees — fall 

 sooner or later according to the prevailing temperature ? The two gulls 

 differ as to size and colour, one being smaller and much lighter than 

 the other. Though tame, they are voracious birds, capturing any 

 unlucky house sparrow that comes within their reach while feeding : 

 this 1 hear from the owner and his gardener, and I am likewise 

 informed that they have killed a young bantam, which they were endea- 

 vouring to swallow. These birds manage to provide for themselves, and 



