1684 The Zoologist— May, J 869. 



from ninety to five hundred, crossed our garden, flying in a S.S.W. direction, at 

 intervals of a few days, the migration taking place, for the most part, in the early part 

 of the day before noon, the birds flying very high. On the 3rd of January an immense 

 flock, probably 6000 or 7000 strong, gathering in stragglers as they flew, crossed our 

 place, coming from the north-east and flying to the south-west. They settled on some 

 tall elms to rest, many of the birds appearing to be tired and exhausted: after resting 

 for a short time they look to wing again. From that day, and for some weeks after, not 

 a pigeon was to be seen in the neighbourhood. Last week, however, a few birds have 

 again appeared about their old haunts. — A. H. Smee ; March 12, 1869. 



Early breeding of Kingfisher.— 1 sent you two years ago (1867) some notes with 

 regard to the kingfisher, expressing my surprise on discovering that it is such an early 

 breeder. I have now the pleasure of confirming that statement, since the kingfishers 

 are still breeding in the same hole, in a sand-bank which forms the south side of an 

 island in our lake : this year the young ones were ou the wing on the 2nd of April ; 

 the eggs therefore must have been laid about or soon after the middle of February. 

 Last Friday, April 2ud, one of my gardeners witnessed a most interesting sight: he 

 noticed, from the excitement of the old birds, that something more than common was 

 going on, and, having placed himself very near the nest, partly covered by a piece of 

 broom, he was very soon rewarded by the arrival of the two old birds, which took up 

 their position upon a twig of bramble near the hole, using all their powers of per- 

 suasion until they succeeded in inducing one of the young ones to trust itself abroad, 

 when they both accompanied it to a part of the lake which is well sheltered on both 

 sides with trees, and having placed it in safety returned for a second. My belief is, 

 thai birds have no knowledge or fear of anything immovable, and that they regarded 

 my man — as long as he was perfectly still, though within a few feet of the hole and but 

 slightly concealed — exactly as they would a tree. — H^. C. Hewitson ; Oallands. 



Redcresled Merganser on the Thames.— I had the good fortune to shoot a fine 

 specimen of the redcrested merganser in Leigh Ray, at the back of Canvey Island, 

 on March 15lh. The bird was an adult jnale, in summer plumage, and was in com- 

 pany with two others : the fishermen told me that they are seldom seen in the river, 

 and none have been shot for some years.— ^. //. Smee; April 1, 1869. 



Bridled Guillemot at Bridlington.— \ have, in the flesh, a remarkably small speci- 

 men of the bridled guillemot, in winter plumage. It was shot at Bridlington on the 

 10th of March, by Mr. Jones. — /. H. Gurnet/, jun. 



Redlhroated Diver. — A redlhroated diver, in nearly full summer plumage, was shot 

 by Mr. Guthrie, near Rottiugdean, on March 14ih : the same gentleman saw, on the 

 29th, three peregrines fighting over his head high in the air. — T. W. Wonfor. 



Blackthroaled Diver at St. Leonard's. — I have now, to preserve, a beautiful speci- 

 men of the blackthroaled diver, which was shot by Mr. Cook, at Crowhurst, in a 

 horse-pond close to his house : it is about two years old, audjs the finest specimen 

 I have ever seen. — John Bissenden ; Archival/, St. Lei)nard''s-on-Sea,Feb.2\, 1869. 

 The Great Auk. — I ought to have added, in a postscript to my rough " Notes on 

 the Great Auk," that I trust I have not been interfering with ihe extended work of 

 Mr. G. D. Rowley, who has long been collecting materials. At page 1641, ninth line 

 from the top, erase the words " in this country," — J. H. Gurney, jun. ; Bank, 

 Darlington. 



