The Zoologist — July, 18G7. 825 



While Eggs of the Yellowhammer. — Yesterday I found a nest of tlie yellowhammer 

 containing two eggs snow-white and two of die usual colour. The bird was sitting. — 

 George Roberts; May 19, 1867. 



Bramblings at Henley-on-Thames. — Bramblings have been unusually plentiful 

 with us this season. I had several specimens brought me in March — C. E. Stubbs. 



Siskins during the first week in March. — Mr. Stevenson mentions (Zjol. S. S. 728) 

 that some siskins were seen in Norfolk during the first week in March, and also 

 remarks that it is the latest that he ever observed them. Perhaps he will be interested 

 to hear that I saw some near West Drayton, Middlesex, on the 2nd of that month: 

 they were feeding in some alder-trees, and were about twenty in number : I certainly 

 never noticed them so late in previous years. — F. D. Power ; 32, Queen Square, W.C., 

 May 15, 18fir. 



Golden Oriole at Scilly. — Three orioles (one in very bright plumage) have appeared 

 together on the island of Trescoe, in the plantation of Mr. Smith, the lord proprietor, 

 during the last few days. Mr. Smith reports to me that all the specimens that have been 

 seen from lime to time at Scilly have occurred at Trescoe, and one reason may be that in 

 that island alone are there localities adapted, by the plantations, evergreens and flowering 

 exotic shrubs on Mr. Smith's grounds, for the bird nesting and rearing its young. Mr. 

 Smith will probably give them an opportunity of passing the summer unmolested, and 

 testing his well-known hospitality. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; Penzance, May 14, 1867. 



PS. To all appearance a male and female of the golden oriole have adopted 

 the gardens at Trescoe as their summer nesting-place and nursery. They appear 

 generally together, and up to last week were to be seen daily — as far as I can learn, 

 with the usual indications of birds nesting. — E. H. R.; June 20, 1867. 



The Shama (Kittacincla macroura). — The shama frequents the densest thickets, 

 and is very partial to thick bamboo jungles. It is almost always solitary, perches on 

 low branches, and hops to the ground to secure a small grasshopper or other insect. 

 When alarmed it flies before you from tree to tree, at no great height. Its song is 

 chiefly heard iu the evening just before and after sunset: it is a most gushing melody, 

 of great power, surpassed by no Indian bird. In confinement it imitates the notes of 

 other birds and of various animals with ease and accuracy. It is caught in great 

 numbers and caged for its song. Many are brought from the Nepal Terai to Monghyr, 

 chiefly young birds. It is the practice throughout India*to cover the cages of singing 

 birds with cloth, and iu some places a fresh piece of cloth is added every year. The 

 birds certainly sing away readily when thus caged, but not more so perhaps than others 

 freely exposed. The shama is usually fed on a paste made of parched chenua mixed 

 with the yelk of hard-boiled eggs, and it appears to thrive well on this diet, if a few 

 maggots or insects are given occasionally. It will also eat pieces of raw meat in lieu 

 of insects. — ' Birds of India' vol. i. p. 117. 



Indian Black Robin (Thamnobia fulicata). — Its familiar habits well entitle it to 

 the name of Indian robin. It is mostly found about villages, pagodas, old buildings 

 and mud-walls, often perching on the roofs of houses and tops of walls, and feeding in 

 verandahs, or occasionally even entering houses. It is, however, not confined to 

 the vicinity of houses or villages, but is very common on rocky and stony hills, and in 

 groves of palmyra or date-palms. It is generally seen single or in pairs, feeds on the 

 ground, od which it hops with great agility, frequently pursuing and capturing several 

 insects before it reseats itself on its perch, either on a house or on a neighbouring tree 

 SECOND SERIES — VOL. II. 2 Q 



