S20 The Zoologist — July, 1867. 



considerable numbers on our Downs, where they resort to breed among 

 the furze-brakes and stunted thorns and briers. 



Magpie, &c. — April 23rd. A magpie's nest found to-rlay containing 

 two eggs ; a blackbird's, with a brood half-fledged ; and a robin's nest 

 without eggs. March having proved unusually cold, the thermometer 

 ranging but little above the freezing-point up to the 21st, most species 

 are late in breeding. 



Ring Ouzel. — April 24th. One seen at Bonchurch by a man well 

 acquainted with the species, its song having attracted him to the 

 spot. 



lesser Wliitelhroat. — April 26th. First seen. 



Wood and Willow Wren. — April 26ih. Both seen in the garden 

 to-day; the latter in considerable numbers; all apparently newly 

 arrived, for they were very sluggish. Neither species, that I am aware 

 of, breed in the Undercliff, but merely pass a week or two with us 

 before proceeding inland ; and the same, I believe, may be said of the 

 chiffcharT, never having found its nest either. 



Titlark and Linnet. — April 26th. — A nest found with hall-fledged 

 young. Brown linnet still gregarious, but this species is a late 

 breeder. 



Pied Wagtail. — April 28th. A small flock observed. 



May. 



Yellow Wagtail. — I hear that a small flock was met with about a 

 pond near Newport, a few weeks since ; two were shot, one a very 

 handsome male, in perfect plumage, the yellow being very bright. 



Redshank. — A bird of this species was shot, during the winter, on 

 the banks of the Medina. It is a handsome specimen, with the tail 

 beautifully barred. 



Bittern. — A bittern was shot in our marshes during the winter. 



Great or Norfolk Plover. — Have lately seen a fine specimen, shot 

 some months ago ; had previously heard of one being shot, some years 

 ago, in a turnip-field in this neighbourhood. 



Jackdaw. — A jackdaw, having an elongated and greatly decurved 

 bill, giving it a chough-like appearance, has been lately shot. The 

 plumage is of the usual colour. 



Martin. — Commenced building early in the month ; on the 8th saw 

 a nest that had been begun some days. There will be a general 

 rebuilding this season, the severe frost having caused the old nests to 

 crumble away and for the most part disappear. 



