The Zoologist— July, 18G7. 821 



Spotted Flycatcher. — Not observed in this neighbourhood till the 

 middle of the month. 



Swift. — Though not noticed here till the third week in May, a few 

 were seen about the Shanklin Cliffs early in the month. 



Linnet. — May 24th. A small flock observed. 



Common Tern. — Heai'd of a pair being seen about Bembridge 

 Harbour by the middle of April, which is somewhat early. 



Peregrine Falcon. — May 31st. In walking to-day from Sandown to 

 Bembridge, T started a peregrine from out a hole or fissure in the 

 loftiest part of the Culver Cliff, but not till numerous stones had been 

 rolled down. As usual they have chosen the most inaccessible part 

 of the cliff, beneath a jutting crag; the descent from which would ] 

 be awkward, if not dangerous. Its flight was rapid and direct, neither 

 turning to the right or left till well out to sea. Though I watched for 

 some time it did not reappear. From its apparent sraallness I took it to 

 be the male bird, but these lofty cliffs so dwarf everything that one may 

 readily be deceived as to size ; the house martin, for instance, appear- 

 ing no larger than the sand martin ; the herring gull, too, looked 

 small, though its figure was well defined as it stood erect on a promi- 

 nent semi-detached peak, as if chiselled out of the chalky face of the 

 cliff, with the sea in the background. Three distinct notes were heard, 

 one as of laughter : another, a shrill cry or scream not unlike that of 

 the human voice ; the third, an angry, reiterated, whistling, " whil ! 

 whil ! " which so alarmed a little terrier, as they flew around in a 

 threatening manner, that he could not be induced to face them, or join 

 me as I sat on the edge of the cliff. 1 am sorry to announce the 

 capture of a female peregrine, it having been trapped in a gin some 

 weeks since, at the Freshwater Cliffs. It was preserved alive, and had 

 been offered to my informant for sale. 



Bluethroated Warbler.— None having been observed for some time 

 it is thought that they may have been captured or shot, and I am 

 blamed, I fear, for having, by pointing out their haunts, caused their 

 destruction. Bnt, if dead, I think it more likely they may have perished 

 from cold, the winter having been uuusually severe in the Undercliff. 

 I picked up several dead thrushes in the garden, beneath an ivy-clad 

 wall, from which they had apparently fallen while roosting. 



Henry Hadfield. 



Venlnor, Isle of Wight, June 7, 1867. 



