Tue Zootocist—FreBruary, 1872. 2948 
occasionally a little moss and a few feathers forming the lining), is suspended 
to the forked extremity of one of its higher branches, where it is well 
concealed by the foliage. Some sort of grass or straw is most frequently 
used for suspending the nest to the branch, which is done by wreathing 
or twining these substances round it, and then fastening or interweaving 
the margin of the nest in or to the thus prepared branch, so that the nest, 
when completed, is not, as is done by most other birds, fastened to its support 
by the bottom or side, but only by the rim; but in one of the nests I have 
seen the bird had almost entirely used cord for doing so. These birds 
must have great liking for bright colours, or else I cannot explain the 
reason why they should weave into their nests bright-coloured bits of cloth, 
paper, ribbon, &c., &c., which materials I have constantly found in more or 
less profusion in nests I have examined of this bird. The eggs vary from 
three to five in number, although I believe that as many as six have been 
found in one nest. They are white, speckled more or less with spots of 
black, dark brown or claret, which are generally more numerous at the 
thick end. The size of these spots varies greatly in different specimens, as 
also their number. Eggs of a pure white have occurred, but are very 
unusual.—A. von Hiigel ; Stonyhurst, near Blackburn, November 21, 1871. 
Curious Habit of the Longtailed Titmouse.—A gamekeeper once told me 
of a curious fact he had observed in connection with the longtailed tit: he 
declared that he had often seen this pretty little bird roosting in clusters in 
the woods, one bird hanging on to the other just like a swarm of bees. 
I have never come across any notice of this habit in this tit, if indeed it 
really practises it, and should be glad to hear if any of the readers of the 
‘Zoologist’ can confirm, from personal observation, this statement of the 
keeper.—Murray A. Mathew. 
Whiteheaded Longtailed Tit in Somersetshire.— When driving near 
Bridgwater in October last I observed a small flock of longtailed tits, 
amongst which was one with a white head, and which I have no doubt was 
the variety often found on the Continent, but so rarely in Britain, named 
Acredula caudata.—John Gatcombe. . 
Variety of the Rock Pipit.— Mr. Shopland, naturalist, of Torquay, 
informs me that a nearly white rock pipit was shot at Paignton on the 
2nd of October last.—J. H. Gurney. 
American Cuckoo in Ireland.—An American cuckoo was stuffed by my 
stuffer in Belfast last November or October: it was shot in Ireland. Iam 
writing to him for particulars: the bird has gone home, so I probably shall 
not see it. It was described to me as like a large whitethroat, and smaller 
than the common cuckoo. I sent a skin of the yellowbilled cuckoo for 
comparison, with which it agreed, but was not so yellow on bill, nor had it 
so much white on tail, probably being a young bird, my skin being adult.— 
H. Blake-Knox; Dalkey, January 5, 1872. 
