338 The Zoologist — August, 1806. 



Kestrel, — There has been a great accession of numbers during the 

 month. 



Blackbird, Src. — Had young fully fledged by the middle of the 

 month. Observe thai the male bird feeds the hen while sitting on the 

 nest. Birds have been sadly puzzled when and where to build their 

 nests, the weather being so variable, and the season so backward. 

 No suflScient foliage of any kind but ivy, and evergreen shrubs. Two 

 pairs of blackbirds have built nests in the ivy on my house ; one near 

 the eaves. There are four of their nests vvilhin a very narrow circle, 

 so their cheering song may be heard early and late, and occasionally 

 at midday. When the female finds she is observed, the building 

 material is dropped before flying off". 



Cuckoo. — On the 19th this harbinger of spring was first heard. 



Swan. — My observations on the cygnet have been most abruptly 

 terminated, it having, on the 20lh, left its mate on the Bonchurch 

 Pond about mid-day, and wandered along the public road for some 

 distance before taking wing and alighting in the sea ; though followed 

 and pursued, the boatman could not get near it, and there is now little 

 chance of its being captured. It was a remarkably fine bird, larger 

 than its adult companion, and being, I believe, a male, was probably 

 driven away. This being, I am informed, the second time the old bird 

 has been disappointed of a partner, one cannot be surprised at his 

 resenting it. When the cygnet was seen, a iew days since, the bill 

 was mostly of a pinkish colour, with little appearance of orange. 



Moorhen. — 21st. One observed about the Bonchurch Pond; the 

 first seen there for some years, though formerly a common species 

 enough. 



Dart ford Warhler. — 25th. Though old birds were seen both 

 yesterday and to-day no young have been observed as yet. 



Great Titmouse. — 25th. First observed to be paired. 



Chiffchaff. — Has been unusually abundant throughout the month, 

 flitting among the leafless branches of the loftier trees, and making 

 little aerial excursions, in mere sport, I believe ; while the goldenciest, 

 which it sometimes resembles in size and habits, may be seen beneath, 

 in search of its insect food in the budding spruce. 



Yellow Wood Wren. — 25th. A bird of this species first observed ; 

 two more were seen on the 26th in the willows and oaks at 

 Luccombe. 



Lesser Blackbacked Gull, Kittiwake, dc. — 27th. After a close 

 inspection of the whole face of the Culver Clifi" to-day, I find that no 



