The Zoologist— July, 1867. 819 



The birds are late this spring, those of slower flight from ten to 

 fifteen days. 



Matthew Hutchinson. 

 Blackheatb, S.E., May,22, 1867. 



Ornithological Notes from the Isle of Wight. 

 By Captain Hadfield. 



(Continued from Zool. S. S. 743.) 



April. 



Martin. — Though not observed here till about the middle of the 

 month, two or three were seen on the Downs near Portsmouth, on the 

 1st of April — the earliest date of their appearance that I ever 

 remember. 



Great Northern Diver. — April 6th. One seen off" Shanklin to-day. 

 I had not heard of its occurrence all through the winter ; but then, 

 owing to the boisterous weather, there was little boating going on. 



Redlhroatecl Diver, fyc. — There are still a few of these divers 

 lingering on the coast; one was observed to-day (April 6th) in 

 Sandown Bay, but comparatively few have been met with this season. 

 A black scoter and a few wild ducks seen off Shanklin during the 

 week. 



Book. — Though there were well-fledged young by the end of March, 

 a pair of rooks did not commence building till the 5th of April ; the 

 nest was completed in about ten days, but it was of very small size. 

 When birds are late in building or rebuilding, the nests are generally 

 small or loosely and imperfectly formed. 



Cuckoo.— April 7th. The cuckoo was heard to-day in the Landslip. 

 This is a few days earlier than usual. 



Swallow. — First seen on the 10 th of April (the same date as last 

 year). Thermometer 48° at 9 A. M. 



Nightingale.— -The song of the nightingale was heard, at Steephill, 

 by the middle of the month, but in the neighbourhood of Brading— a 

 favourite resort of the species — it was noticed a few days earlier : I 

 have already had occasion to remark that most of our summer visitants 

 are first seen at the south-eastern extremity of the island. 



Wryneck. — First heard at Easter. 



Whitethroat. — By the middle of the month it had collected in 



