Birds. 9209 
lastly subjected to the action of more perfect solvents, which complete the softening 
process so rapidly as to admit of the fvod being directly applied to its ultimate end on 
passing from the stomach. The osprey, whose powerful muscles and active habits, 
under various circumstances, require great and frequent sources of restoration, needs 
a more rapid and perfect digestive process than those other fish-eating birds which 
continually dwell on the watery element, and whose powers of flight and endurance 
are not so constantly and severely taxed. The intestine was no less than 12 feet 
4 inches in length (good measuyement). IT have preserved the stomach in spirits of 
wine, and intend making a series of preparations of the stomachs of various species of 
birds, for the purpose of comparison, &c.— W. W. Boulton ; Beverley, May 20, 1864. 
Peregrine Falcon at Flamborough.— I have this day (May 20) received a splendid 
and unusually large specimen of the peregrine falcon, in the flesh. It was shot close 
to Flamborough, by Thomas Long, of that place, on the 18th instant. Dissection 
proved it to be a mature female. The stomach contained the remains of a rock pigeon, 
which included, amongst other portions of the bird, one cntire foot and shank, anda 
few feathers. An old male bird, which had probably been paired to my specimen, has 
been seen in the neighbourhood of Flamborough since mine was shot, but hitherto it 
has escaped capture.—Jd. 
Peregrine Falcons taken at Beachy Head and Seaford Cliffs. —1 have just seen 
three fine young peregrines, taken at the above places about a fortnight since, by Mr. 
Collins, of Meads, Eastbourne. Four were taken from a nest in the Seaford Cliffs, 
and three from one in the high cliff between Beachy Head aud the Lighthouse. Six 
have been purchased at £1 each.—J. Dutton ; Eastbourne, June 11, 1864. 
Montagw’s Harrier near Weston-super-Mare. — The beginning of this month a fine 
female Montagu’s harrier was trapped upon Brean Down, about two miles to the west 
of this place.—M. A. Mathews ; Weston-super-Mare, June 10, 1864. 
| Redwing Singing in England. — Several times it has been my fortune to hear the 
song of the redwing. Indeed I never thought that it was at all unusual for the red- 
wing to sing here before it left in the spring, and so, on the occasions when I heard 
it, I had not considered it a circumstance worthy of particular note’ On fine sunny 
mornings in March I have ofien, in North Devon, heard the redwing singing from the 
top of some tall hedgerow tree. 1 am quite certain that it was a redwing on each 
occasion, as I not only plaiuly distinguished the bird, but also was attracted to look 
upwards in order to discover whence a sweet, solt soug, which was uew to me, pro- 
ceeded.—Jd. 
Redwing Singing in England.—I have just returned home, after passing the winter 
in the sunny South, and on reading up the last six numbers of the ‘ Zoologist,’ which 
‘have accumulated during my absence, I am surprised to see so much doubt cast upon 
the accuracy of a statement made by the Rev. A. Matthews respecting the singing of 
the redwing in England. Granted that it is not the wsua/ habit of this bird to favour 
us with much of its song during the cold months of winter, when alone we have an 
opportunity of observing it; yet when we recollect the bigh character as a first-rate 
songster which it bears in its own native country, and the great reputation it has there 
for melody, sweetness and power of voice, and that of so high a class as to have pro- 
cured it the soubriqguet of the “ Swedish Nightingale,” I think it is vot unreasonable 
to conjecture that on occasions—such as the wildness of the weather, the bright sun, 
or other favourable circumstances may call forth—the redwing will indulge us with a 
specimen of its rich and powerful song, wherewith it notoriously is wont to gladdeu 
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