The Zoologist— June, 1866. 269 



must have been was-lied away if last year's nests. It appears, therefore, that these 

 birds, like the wren, make several attempts to build before completing their perfect 

 and final nesis, for apparently sport and amusement. Dippers do not altogether con- 

 fine themselves to streams, for I observed them fly across fr mi one tributary to 

 anotlier with a strong-, rapid AighU—Edivard Hearle Rudd ; Penzance, May 2, 1866. 

 Dales of the Niyluingale's Arrival at IVoolpit, Suffolk.— See\ng you are desirous 

 of hearing the time when the nightinoale arrives, I take the liberty of sending you 

 the following notes, as taken from an old notebook: — 



1850, April 11. ■ ]t.5S. 



1851. „ 20. 1859. April 24, 

 1862. „ 14. ]8«0. „ 30. 



1853. „ 23. 1861. „ 22. 



1854. 1862. „ 20. 



1855. April 21 (doubtful). 1863. 



1855. „ 29 (distinctly). 1864. April 17. 



^^56. „ 21. 1865. „ 16. 



1857. „ 19. 

 The nightingale has not yet (April 15th) been noticed, but on Saturday the 

 cuckoo was heard.— r. G. Tuck; To.dock House, Woolpit, Suffolk 



Richard's Pipit obtained in Leadenliall Market.— I obtained a remarkably fine 

 specimen of this rare bird from among a number of larks in Leadenhall Market, on 

 the 8th of March last: it is now preserved, and in my collection.— PFiWam Machin. 



Eggs of the Longtailed Titmouse and Goldcrest in one Nest.— A nest of the long- 

 tailed tit was brought me a few days since containing thirteen eggs, nine of which 

 evidenily belonged to the owners of the nest; these were quite fresh-laid: the 

 remaining four I ideutitied as those of the goldencrested wren; they were slightly sat 

 upon. These latter were much smaller and of a darker hue, with a band"^ of dull 

 reddish brown circling the larger end, while the former were spotted with pale red 

 spots, more particularly around the larger end. The eggs of the goldcrest were placed 

 at the bottom of the nest, with the others arranged around. The only explauatioa 

 I can give is that, after the little archiiects had constructed and prepared their abode, 

 they had apparently, from some cause or other, lefi it, and the nest was then taken' 

 possession of by the goldcrests, who commenced laying their eggs, but were driven off 

 by the return of the former occupants, ivlw resumed their allotted duty without 

 expelling the oflTsp.ing of the intruders. Is such an event probable ? Has the gold- 

 crest ever been known to lay its eggs in the nests of other species, without takin" the 

 trouble of construc.ing a home for itself i'-r. E. Gunn ; 3, West Potteryate,Nor. 

 wi h. May 5, ls66. 



Chaffinch in a Hen's Nest.-Yesterd^y a lady friend of mine, on going to look at 

 her chickens, was surprised at seeing a dark tail .sticking out from under the hen 

 (which, hy the way, was a Cochin), aud to her astonishmenl, when the hen got up out 

 flew a chaffinch. This is the first time I have heard of a small bird doing such a 

 thmg. (Jould It have gone there for faod, warmth or building materials .?—£•. D. 

 Hamel ; Bole Hull, Tannvortk, May \Q, \m&. 



Etfecls of Cold OH the House Martin.-M essrs. Shephardand Whitears, in their 



Catalogue of the Birds of Norfolk and Suffolk,' say, » On the mornings of the 5lh and 



6th of June, 1816, the gardeners (at the resi'dence of the Rev. Mr. Fonnereau, of 



